INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Billing

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the average cost to her Department was of processing the payment of an invoice in the latest period for which figures are available; and what proportion of invoices settled in that period her Department paid (a) electronically and (b) by cheque.

Alan Duncan: For the financial year 2011-12 the average cost to DFID of processing an invoice in the UK is £8.89. All invoices settled in the UK were paid electronically.

Burma

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the humanitarian needs of internally displaced people in Kachin State, Burma; and what assessment she has made for accessing affected areas;
	(2)  what humanitarian assistance the Government has provided to internally displaced people in Kachin State, in Burma.

Alan Duncan: The instability in Kachin and Shan States, which started in June 2011, has led to the displacement of over 70,000 people, loss of lives and livelihoods, and damage to infrastructure. Humanitarian priorities include the provision of shelter, water and sanitation, and food for those displaced. The security situation makes access difficult, including for international organisations and the UN. Humanitarian organisations have, however, had some level of access to displaced populations in hard-to-reach areas.
	DFID has provided £2 million to support humanitarian needs in Kachin through a number of local non-government organisations. This is helping to meet the needs of around 27,500 internally displaced people, largely in border camps not controlled by Government, for food security, shelter, water, sanitation, health and bedding.

Developing Countries: Property Rights

Peter Aldous: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures are in place to promote property rights in developing countries to prevent land grabbing by international corporations.

Lynne Featherstone: The coalition Government recognises that there are competing pressures on land for food and fuel in developing countries, and that high commodity prices among other factors have led to a rush in large scale land acquisitions from both domestic and international investors. When done well, commercial investments in agriculture have the potential to be transformational, but it is vital that the rights and interests of the people living on the land are taken into account.
	The UK Government welcomes the successful negotiation of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Tenure of Land (in the context of national food security), and supports the broad-based consultation on the Principles of Responsible Agricultural Investment. Through DFID's bilateral programmes, DFID is supporting over 6 million people secure their rights to land and property by 2015. In 2011 alone, we have helped 800,000 people, including 200,000 women, secure their property rights in Mozambique, India, Rwanda and Nepal.

EU Aid

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of the total UK aid budget has been spent by the EU in each of the last 10 years.

Lynne Featherstone: In the last 10 years, the proportion of the total UK aid budget spent by the EU (through EC attribution and the Department for International Development's core contribution to the European Development Fund) is as follows:
	
		
			  Percentage 
			 2011 15.8 
			 2010 15.4 
			 2009 17.2 
			 2008 17.3 
			 2007 21.8 
			 2006 12.6 
			 2005 11.4 
			 2004 19.6 
			 2003 17.2 
			 2002 18.9

Mobile Phones

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which companies supply (a) mobile telephones and (b) mobile data services to her Department.

Alan Duncan: The information is as follows:
	(a) Mobile telephones for staff based in the UK are provided by Vodafone via a central Government framework contract.
	Mobile telephones for staff based in DFID overseas offices, of which there are 44, are contracted locally based on the availability of services and value for money.
	(b) Mobile data services for staff based in the UK are provided under the central Government contract by Vodafone.
	Mobile data services for staff based in DFID overseas offices are provided by a range of local mobile broadband suppliers based on availability of services and value for money.

Press: Subscriptions

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much her Department spent on newspapers, periodicals and trade publications in the last 12 months.

Alan Duncan: The cost for the financial year ended 31 March 2012 was £8,919.38.

Sickness Absence

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on how many days on average staff of her Department in each pay grade were absent from work as a result of ill health in each of the last 12 months.

Alan Duncan: DFID collects sick absence details monthly, which cover a rolling 12 months period. In line with other Government Departments, we report on this basis quarterly to Cabinet Office. Details of the average working days lost (AWDL) to sickness absence in DFID, per Home Civil Service (HCS) employee, for each of the last 12 rolling 12-month periods, is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Period AWDL to sickness absence per HCS employee 
			 1 November 2010 to 31 October 2011 5.0 
			 1 December 2010 to 30November 2011 4.8 
			 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011 4.7 
			 1 February 2011 to 31 January 2012 4.5 
			 1 March 2011 to 29 February 2012 4.5 
			 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012 4.6 
			 1 May 2011 to 30 April 2012 4.6 
			 1 June 2011 to 31 May 2012 4.5 
			 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012 4.2 
			 1 August 2011 to 31 July 2012 4.3 
			 1 September 2011 to 31 August 2012 4.1 
			 1 October 2011 to 30 September 2012 3.9

Staff

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much her Department spent on (a) recruitment agency fees, (b) outplacement agency fees for displaced or redundant staff and (c) staff training in each of the last 12 months.

Alan Duncan: In the 12 months covering the period October 2011 to September 2012, DFID spent the following:
	
		
			 Month Recruitment agency fees (£)(1) Staff training (£)(2) 
			 2011   
			 October 240,321 228,116 
			 November 126,448 190,619 
			 December 15,500 237,767 
			    
			 2012   
			 January 158,222 189,695 
			 February 79,499 291.911 
			 March 151,838 670,491 
			 April 60,905 43,273 
			 May 151,741 289,176 
			 June 101,534 84,598 
			 July 173,155 195,052 
			 August 57,720 128,369 
			 September 197,243 261,918 
		
	
	
		
			 Total 1,514,131 2,810,985 
			 (1) This figure represents the total paid to recruitment agencies. These payments were for the service of temporary staff and included both payments to the individual and a fee to the recruitment agency. It is not possible to disaggregate this figure. (2) This figure represents payments to training providers for staff training and professional development for DFID staff, including staff appointed in country ( SAIC). 
		
	
	There were no payments made for outplacement agency fees during this period.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to help improve local government in sub-Saharan Africa.

Lynne Featherstone: In 2010-11 DFID worked on decentralisation and subnational government in 12 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, spending a total of £16,279,000 through its bilateral programme. This support includes strengthening departments of regional and local government, regional and local authorities and their national associations. DFID has also supported peer to peer learning mechanisms, through the Commonwealth Local Government Forum which has achieved good results in several African countries.

Vacancies

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her Department's vacancy rate was in 2011-12; and what vacancy rate has been assumed for 2012-13.

Alan Duncan: DFID does not hold details of annual vacancy rates or assumed vacancy rates for forthcoming years.

Zimbabwe

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether she is taking steps to persuade Zimbabwe to meet its obligations to abide by mandatory rulings of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes.

Lynne Featherstone: The UK Government have regular dialogue with the Government of Zimbabwe to encourage compliance with international norms. As a shareholder of the World Bank we are working with the World Bank in country regarding a wide range of policy reforms, which would enable the Government of Zimbabwe to move towards re-engagement with the international community. We have raised the issue of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes ruling with the World Bank in Zimbabwe and discussions are ongoing.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Billing

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average cost to her Department was of processing the payment of an invoice in the latest period for which figures are available; and what proportion of invoices settled in that period her Department paid (a) electronically and (b) by cheque.

Michael Penning: My Department does not hold information on the cost of processing the payment of invoices.
	In September 2012, a total of 716 invoices were processed and paid. Of these, 699 (98%) were paid electronically. The remaining 17 (2%) were paid by cheque.

Mobile Phones

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which companies supply (a) mobile telephones and (b) mobile data services to her Department.

Michael Penning: My Department is supplied with (a) mobile telephones by Vodafone, Orange, O2 and BT; and (b) mobile data services by Vodafone and O2.

Press: Subscriptions

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much her Department spent on newspapers, periodicals and trade publications in the last 12 months.

Michael Penning: My Department spent £19,336.41 on newspapers, periodicals and trade publications from October 2011 to September 2012.

Sickness Absence

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many days on average staff of her Department in each pay grade were absent from work as a result of ill health in each of the last 12 months.

Michael Penning: Between November 2011 and October 2012, the latest period for which figures are available, the average numbers of days staff in my Department were absent due to ill health for each month, broken down by grade, is as follows:
	
		
			  Nov 2011 Dec 2011 Jan 2012 Feb 2012 Mar 2012 Apr 2012 May 2012 June 2012 Jul 2012 Aug 2012 Sept 2012 Oct 2012 
			 SCS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Grade A 1.1 1.5 1.9 2.6 1.3 1.1 0.3 0.6 1 0.1 0.8 1.2 
			 Band B 0 0.3 0 0.1 0.8 0 0 0.1 0 0 0 0 
			 Band C 0.3 0.2 0.7 0 0.1 0.1 0.25 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 
			 Band D 2 1.7 1.6 1.7 0.4 0.3 0.7 1.1 1.4 0.4 0.1 0.1 
			 Band E 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.6 0.25 1.1 0.4 0.4 0.8 0.2 0.25 0.25 
			 Band F 1.2 0.7 0.5 0.6 0.4 1 0.1 0.1 1 1.2 0.9 0.9

Staff

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much her Department spent on (a) recruitment agency fees, (b) outplacement agency fees for displaced or redundant staff and (c) staff training in each of the last 12 months.

Michael Penning: During the last 12 months, expenditure by my Department in each of these areas was as follows:
	(a) recruitment agency fees—£1,800 in August 2012
	(b) outplacement agency fees for displaced or redundant staff—£0
	(c) staff training—see following table:
	
		
			  £ 
			 November 2011 1,806 
			 December 2011 960 
			 January 2012 2,090 
			 February 2012 3,625 
			 March 2012 2,471 
			 April 2012 740 
			 May 2012 570 
			 June 2012 370 
			 July 2012 0 
			 August 2012 130 
			 September 2012 0 
			 October 2012 470

Vacancies

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what her Department's vacancy rate was in 2011-12; and what vacancy rate has been assumed for 2012-13.

Michael Penning: My Department does not hold this information. Staffing levels are kept under constant review and posts are filled when there is a sound business case for doing so.

SCOTLAND

Mobile Phones

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which companies supply (a) mobile telephones and (b) mobile data services to his Department.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office makes use of a Government framework contract with Vodafone for mobile telephone and data services.

Pay

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the total paybill was for his Department in the last year for which figures are available; how many people were employed by his Department in that period; how many such employees earned (a) less than £21,000 per year, (b) £40,000 a year or more, (c) £45,000 a year or more and (d) £50,000 a year or more; and what proportion of the total paybill was paid to employees earning (i) over £40,000 a year, (ii) over £45,000 a year and (iii) over £50,000 a year.

David Mundell: The total paybill for the Scotland Office in 2011-12 was £2.771 million.
	The Scotland Office does not employ staff directly; staff are on secondment or assignment mainly from the Ministry of Justice or the Scottish Government and only reimburses those Departments for the costs involved.

Sickness Absence

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many days on average staff of his Department in each pay grade were absent from work as a result of ill health in each of the last 12 months.

David Mundell: All Scotland Office staff are on secondment from other Government bodies, principally the Scottish Government and the Ministry of Justice, which have their own absence management policies and record processes that apply to those of their staff working in this office. Since 2010, the Scotland Office has kept local records of sick absences. The following table shows the average number of days staff in each grade were absent through ill health over the past 12 months.
	
		
			  Senior Civil Servant Grade 6/7 Senior Executive Officer/Higher Executive Officer/Fast Stream Executive Officer Admin. 
			 October 2011 0.0 0.0 0.12 0.0 0.42 
			 November 2011 0.0 0.17 0.2 1.1 0.14 
			 December 2011 0.0 0.33 0.12 0.55 0.0 
			 January 2012 0.5 0.08 0.0 0.0 0.57 
			 February 2012 0.5 0.33 0.0 0.22 0.43 
			 March 2012 0.17 0.0 0.0 1.2 0.14 
			 April 2012 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.29 
			 May 2012 0.0 0.0 0.08 0.0 0.0 
			 June 2012 0.5 0.21 0.2 0.0 0.0 
			 Jul. 2012 0.0 0.33 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 Aug. 2012 0.0 0.17 0.04 0.44 0.0 
			 September 2012 0.0 0.25 0.16 0.0 0.28

Staff

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department spent on (a) recruitment agency fees, (b) outplacement agency fees for displaced or redundant staff and (c) staff training in each of the last 12 months.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office spend on recruitment agency fees and staff training is set out in the table. The Scotland Office does not employ any staff directly, and had no costs in respect of outplacement agency fees for displaced or redundant staff.
	The Scotland Office encourages all staff to undertake learning and development activities. The majority of such opportunities are provided through the Scottish Government and the Ministry of Justice from where the majority of our staff are seconded. The figures in the table show direct spending by the Scotland Office on training.
	
		
			 £ 
			  Agency spend Training spend 
			 September 2011 0 310 
			 October 2011 0 534 
			 November 2011 816.27 0 
			 December 2011 7,057.46 118.80 
			 January 2012 5,212 0 
			 February 2012 2,382.90 580.00 
			 March 2012 4,852 1,090 
			 April 2012 1,875.91 309.60 
			 May 2012 4,101.66 237.60 
			 June 2012 2,124.34 788.80 
			 July 2012 11,183.50 246.00 
			 August 2012 4,415.97 2.241.00

WALES

Pay

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the total pay bill was for his Department in the last year for which figures are available; how many people were employed by his Department in that period; how many such employees earned (a) less than £21,000 per year, (b) £40,000 a year or more, (c) £45,000 a year or more and (d) £50,000 a year or more; and what proportion of the total pay bill was paid to employees earning (i) over £40,000 a year, (ii) over £45,000 a year and (iii) over £50,000 a year.

Stephen Crabb: The total pay bill was £2,968,000.
	The Wales Office does not directly employ staff. All staff in the Wales Office are employed by the Ministry of Justice, or are on loan from other Government bodies or the Welsh Government.

Sickness Absence

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on how many days on average staff of his Department in each pay grade were absent from work as a result of ill health in each of the last 12 months.

Stephen Crabb: Due to technical difficulties, the Ministry of Justice (which collates Wales Office data on ill-health absences) is unable at present to provide us with this information. I am advised that these difficulties should be resolved within the next few weeks, at which time I shall write to my hon. Friend, and place a copy of the letter in the House of Commons Library.

Staff

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department spent on (a) recruitment agency fees, (b) outplacement agency fees for displaced or redundant staff and (c) staff training in each of the last 12 months.

Stephen Crabb: The Wales Office has spent the following amounts on recruitment agency fees over each of the past 12 months:
	
		
			  £ 
			 2011  
			 October 113.18 
			 November 158.80 
			 December 161.70 
			   
			 2012  
			 January 137,94 
			 February 215.38 
			 March 126.18 
			 April 290.67 
			 May 227.57 
			 June 194.82 
			 July 150.64 
			 August 97.10 
			 September 39.46 
		
	
	The Wales Office has not paid any outplacement agency fees during the past 12 months.
	Stall training costs during the past 12 months were as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
			 2011  
			 October 7,115 
			 November 0 
			 December 0 
		
	
	
		
			 2012  
			 January 0 
			 February 0 
			 March 1,830 
			 April 160 
			 May 0 
			 June 288 
			 July 1,388 
			 August 160 
			 September 0

Vacancies

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his Department's vacancy rate was in 2011-12; and what vacancy rate has been assumed for 2012-13.

Stephen Crabb: The Wales Office’s average vacancy rate for the financial year 2011-12 was 16%. The Wales Office has not estimated an assumed average vacancy rate for the financial year 2012-13.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Palace of Westminster: Repairs and Maintenance

Thomas Docherty: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, whether the House of Commons Commission has yet considered the report on Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster; and if he will make a statement.

John Thurso: The Commission considered the report of the Pre-Feasibility Study Group on 29 October and issued the following statement:
	The Commission was united in taking very seriously its responsibilities for this iconic and much-loved Grade 1 listed building in a UNESCO world heritage site. It also expressed strong support for continuing to protect the health and safety of visitors, Members and staff.
	It is therefore of the unanimous view that doing nothing is not an option. Equally, the Commission is acutely conscious of the current public spending environment and is committed to ensuring that any consideration of how the Palace could be restored is based upon securing maximum value for taxpayers' money.
	The report is a useful first analysis of the issues. However, the Commission has ruled out the option of constructing a brand new building away from Westminster and no further analysis will be undertaken of this option.
	In addition the Commission was not persuaded that the case for a decant had been made and wished to ensure that all options were rigorously tested by independent analysis, detailed costings and robust technical information, to ensure no suggestion of internal bias.
	Fulfilling their obligations as custodians of the Palace of Westminster requires informed, considered decision-making by both Houses of Parliament. A great deal of work remains to be done before Parliament is in a position even to consider the merits and demerits in principle of particular options.
	In the interests of transparency, the Study Group's report has been published on Parliament's website at:
	http://website.cms.parliament.uk/documents/commons-commission/PED-Modernisation-Report-Oct12.pdf

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

Electoral Commission: Finance

Robert Halfon: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what steps the Electoral Commission is taking to reduce its overheads in line with Government departments.

Gary Streeter: Over the spending review period to 2014-15 the Electoral Commission is on target to make a reduction of 30%, or approximately £4.7 million, against its core budget. It has achieved this by cutting spending on office accommodation, travel and subsistence, and staffing.
	In 2011-12 the National Audit Office reported that the Commission's cost reduction plans compared well with those being implemented by Government Departments and, if delivered, will provide a substantial, real-term saving to the taxpayer.

TRANSPORT

Atos

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 20 June 2012, Official Report, columns 1012-4W, on Atos, whether he has made an estimate of the level of profit Atos will make from each contract; and what the likely level of profit is for each.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has four contracts with Atos. In respect of three of these, the Department has made no estimates of the level of profit Atos will make. For the fourth, "open book" arrangements apply enabling the Department to make an estimate of profit, but I regret that we are unable to release this information without prejudicing commercial interests.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department spent on High Speed 2 in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12; how much he expects to spend in (i) 2012-13 and (ii) 2013-14; and whether any Barnett consequentials arise from such expenditure.

Simon Burns: Annual expenditure by High Speed Two Ltd is published in its annual accounts which are available on its website at:
	http://www.hs2.org.uk/accounts
	Regarding the budget for 2012-3 and 2013-14 and the question of Barnett consequentials, I refer my right hon. Friend to my answer of 23 October 2012, Official Report, column 768W, and my answer of 24 October 2012, Official Report, column 893W.

Mobile Phones

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which companies supply (a) mobile telephones and (b) mobile data services to his Department.

Norman Baker: Vodafone, Orange, O2 and Excalibur supply mobile telephones to the Department. Mobile data services are supplied by Vodafone and Orange.

Press: Subscriptions

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department spent on newspapers, periodicals and trade publications in the last 12 months.

Norman Baker: The central Department and six of its seven Agencies spent £71,053 in the last 12 months on newspapers, periodicals and trade profession magazines. This compares to an equivalent spend of £155,875 in the 2010-11 financial year. The Driving Standards Agency could only provide the figure at disproportionate cost.

Public Transport: Disability

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of rules governing wheelchair access on (a) London Transport and (b) Southern Vectis.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport continues to work to improve physical accessibility to public transport. The Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000 (PSVAR) require all new buses and coaches used to provide local or scheduled services and designed to carry more than 22 passengers to be accessible to disabled passengers.
	All existing buses and coaches used to provide local or scheduled services will have to comply with PSVAR by end dates between 2015 and 2020, depending on vehicle type. The transition will take place over time and transport operators will inevitably use a mixed fleet of accessible and non-accessible vehicles.
	At March 2011, 60% of all buses in Great Britain met the PSVAR requirements.

Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 15 October 2012, Official Report, column 238W, on the renewable transport fuel obligation, what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on steps to bring about a change in the biofuel sustainability criteria.

Norman Baker: I have personally raised the issue of bringing forward proposals to address indirect land use change (ILUC) impacts face to face with Commissioner Hedegaard. I have also written in similar terms to a number of my EU counterparts on a number of occasions.
	The Commission's ‘Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 98/70/EC relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuels and amending Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources’ was published and adopted by the Commission on 17 October 2012. We are now considering the detail of this proposal which purports to address ILUC issues and includes an aspiration that from 2020, biofuels that “do not lead to substantial greenhouse gas savings (when emissions from ILUC are included) and are produced from crops used for food and feed should not be subsidised.”
	Ministers and officials from the Department for Transport are continuing to meet with a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives of the European Commission and other EU member states, as we consider the proposal.

Sickness Absence

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many days on average staff of his Department in each pay grade were absent from work as a result of ill health in each of the last 12 months.

Norman Baker: The tables below show, by grade, the average number of days absence from work, as a result of ill health, for each month since April 2012. Table 1 is for the Department for Transport, including its six executive agencies. Table 2 is for the Central Department only.
	The department does not hold the data in the format requested prior to April 2012 and it could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 Table 1 
			 DfT Average Days Absence through Ill-Health in each month 
			 Grade Apr-12 May-12 Jun-12 Jul-12 Aug-12 Sep-12 
			 PB1 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.5 
			 PB2 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.6 
			 PB3 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.5 0.5 
			 PB4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 
			 PB5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 
			 PB6 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 
			 PB7 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 
			 SCS 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2 
			 DfTc Average Days Absence through Ill-Health in each month 
			 Grade Apr-12 May-12 Jun-12 Jul-12 Aug-12 Sep-12 
			 PB1 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 
			 PB2 0.5 0.8 0.6 0.8 0.6 0.3 
			 PB3 0.5 0.7 0.6 1.0 0.7 0.6 
			 PB4 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 
			 PB5 0.3 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 
			 PB6 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 
			 PB7 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 
			 SCS 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Transport: Health

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to encourage use of modes of transport involving physical activity.

Norman Baker: Through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) the coalition Government is investing £600 million in sustainable transport. When assessing LSTF bids, we gave additional credit to proposals with positive health outcomes, with the result that almost all of the approved programmes include measures to increase walking and cycling. In addition to the LSTF, this year we are investing a further £45 million to improve local walking and cycling routes, enhance bike and rail integration and treat cycle safety hotspots. The Department for Transport and the Department of Health both support healthy travel choices, and will continue to work together to maximise the impact of Government investment.

Travel Costs

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department holds on the proportion of household incomes spent on transport by (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) local authority area.

Norman Baker: According to the Living Costs and Food Survey published by the Office for National Statistics, households in the United Kingdom spent on average 13.7% of their household income on transport, excluding motor vehicle insurance and taxation in 2010. Including motor vehicle insurance and taxation increases this to 16.0%.
	These figures are not available separately for parliamentary constituencies or local authorities.

Vacancies

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department's vacancy rate was in 2011-12; and what vacancy rate has been assumed for 2012-13.

Norman Baker: The Department does not record a staff vacancy rate and no rate has been assumed for Business Planning purposes for 2012 -13. However, staff turnover in the year to 31 March 2012 was 6.1% and it remains at a similar level in 2012-13.
	The Department has strict controls to the process of filling the resulting vacancies. External recruitments are only considered for approval if they are deemed to be frontline, or other business critical e.g. for safety, in line with Cabinet Office guidance.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Asylum: Scotland

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on ending the transfer of children of asylum seekers from Scotland to detention elsewhere in the UK.

Mark Harper: The detention of families overnight in Dungavel ceased in May 2010. The Government made a commitment to end child detention for immigration purposes and has met this commitment by radically changing the system to ensure that welfare of the child is at the heart of the decision and removals process. Once a family's appeal rights have been exhausted they will be offered the following return options, in descending order:
	Assisted return to help the family feel supported throughout their departure, with reintegration assistance to help them resettle upon their return;
	Required returns for families who fail to take up the assisted return through the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) programme, allowing them to remain in the community, but giving two weeks’ notice to board their flight home; and finally
	Ensured return, as a last resort, if they fail to depart the UK.
	Our pre-departure accommodation at Cedars was designed with advice from Barnardo's and could not be further in look or feel from an immigration removal centre.
	It is used only as a last resort after all voluntary return options have failed and after advice has been sought from an independent panel of child welfare experts.

Asylum: Scotland

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on ending dawn raids for the removal of failed asylum seekers in Scotland.

Mark Harper: Where a family is in the UK illegally and has exhausted its appeal rights to the courts the UK Border Agency (UKBA) expects them to comply with the law and leave the UK.
	Where a family has chosen to break the law and defy the decisions of our courts the UKBA will carry out operations to rectify that situation and ensure compliance with our laws.
	The timing of such operations will depend on a number of factors including the safety of the family and others and any concerns raised by police and others around public order.
	Any family which is in the UK illegally can avoid the risk of an enforced departure by complying with the law and taking up one of the several options to leave voluntarily, including that run by Refugee Action, a well-known charity working with asylum seekers and refugees.

Billing

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average cost to her Department was of processing the payment of an invoice in the latest period for which figures are available; and what proportion of invoices settled in that period by her Department were paid (a) electronically and (b) by cheque.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office processes its invoices through the Ministry of Justice Shared Service Centre. The devolved nature of the process within the Home Office means that a full end-to-end cost is difficult to identify but the costs to the Department for the Shared Service Centre can be identified.
	The average cost in September 2012 based on the average cost for the previous 12 months was £4.34 per invoice (£4.62 in September 2011). This was the cost of the Shared Service Centre teams directly involved with processing the invoice and their share of the overheads. It does not include Home Office costs internally such as requisitioners, buyers, approvers and receipters. This figure covers the core headquarters and its Agencies. Other Home Office non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) do not use the Shared Service Centre for their transactions.
	The proportion of invoices paid electronically to date during 2012-13 is 78.9% and the proportion paid by cheque for the same period is 21.1%. These are the latest financial data available. Last year the figures were 97% for electronic payments and just 3% for cheques. However since these figures were published the Department has increased the scope of its shared services provision and there is now a higher proportion of small value, one-off supplier payments that are being made.

Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre

Yvette Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding her Department allocated to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre for each year from 2006-07 to date.

Theresa May: Since 2006 the Government have provided funding for the centre of:
	
		
			  £ million 
			 2006-07 5.360 
			 2007-08 5.657 
			 2008-09 6.270 
			 2009-10 6.353 
			 2010-11 6.44 
			 2011-12 6.38

Children: Chernobyl

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the savings to the public purse which will arise as a result of the decision to withdraw gratis visas for Chernobyl children charities; and if she will make a statement.

David Lidington: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.
	The costs of gratis visas for Chernobyl children are currently charged to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) by the UK Border Agency. Based on the costs in 2011-12, the savings will be around £130,000 per year.
	For more than 16 years, the Government have provided gratis visas to thousands of children to travel to the UK, for respite care organised by the Chernobyl children charities. In line with a number of other difficult spending decisions, gratis visas will cease on 31 March 2013. The FCO informed the charities concerned of this decision in November 2010 to allow them time to seek alternative funding. The FCO has also offered assistance to the charities in identifying new funding sources. Additionally, as a goodwill gesture in this final year of gratis visas, we have offered to cover the cost of Chernobyl children visas obtained in Ukraine as well as Belarus, up to a ceiling of £200,000.

Demonstrations: Walthamstow

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons she banned extremist marches and rallies in Walthamstow for 30 days in October 2012; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: The Secretary of State has consented to a police request for a ban on all marches in Waltham Forest and three neighbouring boroughs for 30 days from 27 October 2012. This decision was based on the statutory tests set out in section 13 of the Public Order Act 1986 and was necessary to manage the risk of serious disorder.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she intends to answer the letter sent to the Minister of Immigration by the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on 19 September 2012 with regard to Ms Eva Wilson.

Mark Harper: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 29 October 2012.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she intends to answer the letter sent to her by the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on 17 September 2012 with regard to Dr Alhasan Sisawo Ceesay.

Mark Harper: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 31 October 2012.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she intends to answer the letter sent to her by the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on 2 July 2012 with regard to Mr Mohammadi Mirza Hussain.

Mark Harper: The former Minister for Immigration, my right hon. Friend the Member for Ashford (Damian Green), wrote to the right hon. Member on 24 July 2012.

Offences Against Children

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what investigations her Department has undertaken in relation to complaints of child abuse at Duncroft Approved School for Girls since 1979.

Jeremy Browne: holding answer 29 October 2012
	Although the Home Office relinquished control of Duncroft Approved School in 1973, we are reviewing papers that are available and will pass any information relevant onto the current Metropolitan police investigation. Any new allegations coming to light involving Duncroft will be collated by the Metropolitan Police Service and passed to Surrey police for review and further investigation if required.

Prisoners: EU Countries

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many UK citizens are in prison on remand in other EU member states; and of these how many were extradited under Part 1 of the Extradition Act 2003.

Mark Harper: The Home Office does not hold the information requested. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is the Government Department responsible for British nationals detained overseas.
	The Serious Organised Crime Agency and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (for Scotland) are the designated central authority for processing European Arrest Warrants (EAW) involving the UK. The involvement of these agencies in the extradition process ends at the point of surrender. My predecessor previously gave my hon. Friend information relating to the number of UK nationals extradited to other EU member states under the EAW, most recently on 20 June 2012, Official Report, column 1058W.

South Yorkshire Police

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to investigate the allegations made in a recent BBC “Inside Out” programme about the conduct of South Yorkshire police in policing the Orgreave Coke Works in 1984.

Damian Green: The Government take any allegation of police misconduct extremely seriously. It is the responsibility of the relevant police force or the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) to investigate such allegations. To initiate an investigation, a complaint must be made to the force involved, to their police authority, or to the IPCC itself.

Telecommunications: Databases

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her timetable is for (a) conducting and (b) publishing the evidence-based review of the retention of communications data.

James Brokenshire: We are taking forward legislation to ensure that law enforcement and other public authorities can maintain access to communications data as technology changes. This is vital to help tackle crime and terrorism. We published the draft Communications Data Bill on 14 June. Supporting information relating to the draft Bill (including the impact and privacy impact assessments to accompany legislation) are available from the Vote Office and at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/counter-terrorism/communications-data/
	The draft Bill is currently subject to pre-legislative scrutiny by a Joint Committee of both Houses and an inquiry by the Intelligence and Security Committee. We are keen to ensure a thorough scrutiny process, and have contributed fully in setting out the case for the Bill through oral and written evidence to both Committees. The Committees plan to report by the end of November. We will respond to these reports following their publication.

Metal Theft

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many metal thefts have been recorded by each police force in each of the last three years.

Jeremy Browne: The number of metal theft offences broken down by police force area is not currently available.
	A new voluntary recording classification for metal theft offences as part of the annual data requirement 2012-13 for police forces commenced on 1 April 2012 but these data are not yet available. This will, for the first time, provide more accurate information of the number of offences and where they are being committed. The Home Office is working with police forces so that as many forces as possible use the new classification.
	Metal theft offences are currently recorded in the ‘other theft or unauthorised taking’ offence classification of police recorded crime which totalled 469,828 offences in the year ending June 2012. While we are unable to identify specific types of theft within this classification, police forces report anecdotally that metal theft is a significant component of this sub-category.

Metal Theft

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of (a) perpetrators of metal thefts and (b) metal thefts in the last year for which figures are available.

Jeremy Browne: Information on the number of metal theft perpetrators is not collected centrally.
	The number of metal theft offences is not currently available. Metal theft offences are most commonly recorded under the “other theft or unauthorised taking” offence classification of Police Recorded Crime. It is not possible to identify specific types of theft within this wider offence classification, which totalled 469,828 offences in the year ending June 2012.
	As of 1 April 2012, police forces are now able to record metal theft offences separately on a voluntary basis. These data are not yet available.

UK Border Agency

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average length of time taken by the UK Border Agency is to process Tier 1 visa applications.

Mark Harper: The average time taken to process Tier 1 applications in the last 12 months is 9.2 days.
	The median (which is a better measure because the average can easily be distorted by a few abnormally large values) is 7.4 days.
	These data are based on management information. They are provisional and subject to change.

EDUCATION

Free School Meals: Cumbria

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many young people in Barrow and Furness constituency (a) are entitled to free school meals and (b) have taken up that entitlement in the latest period for which figures are available.

David Laws: Information on the number and percentage of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals is shown in the tables.
	Information on the number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals as at January 2012 is published in the Statistical First Release “Schools, Pupils and their Characteristics, January 2012” available at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001071/index.shtml
	
		
			 Maintained nursery, state-funded primary, state-funded secondary, state-funded special schools and pupil referral units(1,2,3,4): Number and percentage of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals based on performance tables(5,6,7), January 2012—England, Cumbria local authority and Barrow and Furness parliamentary constituency 
			  Pupils eligible for and claiming free school meals based on performance tables 
			  Maintained nursery and state-funded primary schools(1,2) State-funded secondary schools(1,3) Special schools(4) 
			  Number on roll(5,6) Number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals(5,6) Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals Number on roll(5,6) Number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals(5,6) Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals Number on roll (5,6) Number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals(5,6) Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals 
			           
			 England 3,947,650 760,910 19.3 2,809,815 449,485 16.0 80,505 30,170 37.5 
			 Cumbria 34,670 4,629 13.4 27,300 2,878 10.5 342 104 30.4 
			 Barrow and Furness 6,585 1,129 17.1 4,879 770 15.8 122 46 37.7 
		
	
	
		
			  Pupils eligible for and claiming free school meals based on performance tables 
			  Pupil referral units Total(7) 
			  Number on roll(5,6) Number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals(5,6) Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals Number on roll(5,6) Number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals(5,6) Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals 
			        
			 England 13,235 4,855 36.7 6,851,205 1,245,420 18.2 
			 Cumbria 62 22 35.5 62,374 7,633 12.2 
			 Barrow and Furness 7 5 71.4 11,593 1,950 16.8 
			 (1 )Includes middle schools as deemed. (2) Includes all primary academies, including free schools. (3) Includes city technology colleges and all secondary academies, including free schools. (4) Includes maintained special schools, special academies and non-maintained special schools; excludes general hospital schools. (5) Includes pupils who are sole or dual main registrations. Includes boarders. In pupil referral units includes pupils registered with other providers and further education colleges. (6) Pupils who have full-time attendance and are aged 15 or under, or pupils who have part-time attendance and are aged between 5 and 15. (7) Includes maintained nursery, state-funded primary, state-funded secondary, state-funded special schools, and pupil referral units. Excludes pupils in alternative provision as full and part-time status is not collected. Note: National figures have been rounded to the nearest 5. There may be discrepancies between the sum of constituent items and totals as shown. Source: School Census.

GCSE

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many and what proportion of pupils obtained five A*-C grades including English and mathematics GCSE in the 50 lowest performing lower super output areas; and if he will place a copy of the data in the Library.

Elizabeth Truss: The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Numbers and percentages of pupils achieving five A*-C GCSE grades including English and mathematics GCSEs in the 50 lowest performing LSOAs(1), Year: 2010/11(2). Coverage: England, maintained schools (including academies and CTCs) 
			 Lowest performing Lower Layer Super Output Area All pupils at the end of KS4 Number of pupils at the end of KS4 achieving 5+ A* - C including English and mathematics Percentage of pupils at the end of KS4 achieving 5+ A* - C including English and mathematics 
			 E01008702 Sunderland 016A 11 0 0 
			 E01025292 Preston 015B 5 0 0 
			 E01006469 Knowsley 008D 18 0 0 
			 E01006728 Liverpool 035E 9 0 0 
			 E01007024 Sefton 024C 14 0 0 
			 E01012867 Kingston upon Hull 024E 7 0 0 
			 E01012963 East Riding of Yorkshire 025C 8 0 0 
			 E01027854 Scarborough 010D 4 0 0 
			 E01007880 Sheffield 035B 4 0 0 
			 E01007970 Sheffield 049D 4 0 0 
			 E01007977 Sheffield 051C 10 0 0 
			 E01008118 Sheffield 009E 16 0 0 
			 E01013646 Leicester 024C 8 0 0 
			 E01013811 Nottingham 018B 9 0 0 
			 E01013813 Nottingham 022A 10 0 0 
			 E01029845 Tamworth 007D 13 0 0 
			 E01009004 Birmingham 023B 8 0 0 
			 E01030282 Waveney 014A 4 0 0 
			 E01000933 Camden 020C 5 0 0 
			 E01001832 Hackney 009E 6 0 0 
			 E01017331 Isle of Wight 008C 6 0 0 
			 E01022957 Havant 014E 9 0 0 
			 E01028527 Oxford 015A 6 0 0 
			 E01030824 Tandridge 009A 6 0 0 
			 E01031431 Arun 017A 3 0 0 
			 E01014530 Bristol 035C 5 0 0 
			 E01014842 North Somerset 018B 6 0 0 
			 E01015285 Bournemouth 021A 4 0 0 
			 E01020394 East Dorset 008E 9 0 0 
			 E01020425 East Dorset 006E 5 0 0 
			 E01007491 Doncaster 002E 29 3 10.3 
		
	
	
		
			 E01031075 Nuneaton and Bedworth 002E 29 3 10.3 
			 E01012020 Middlesbrough 011C 28 3 10.7 
			 E01027161 Northampton 027D 24 3 12.5 
			 E01014941 South Gloucestershire 030E 24 3 12.5 
			 E01013632 Leicester 026B 37 5 13.5 
			 E01018103 Fenland 003F 22 3 13.6 
			 E01014463 Bath and North East Somerset 011C 22 3 13.6 
			 E01015263 Torbay 001B 22 3 13.6 
			 E01032471 Wyre Forest 009C 29 4 13.8 
			 E01016865 Brighton and Hove 025B 29 4 13.8 
			 E01010938 Calderdale 006A 21 3 14.3 
			 E01026168 Lincoln 001D 21 3 14.3 
			 E01028301 Newark and Sherwood 001A 28 4 14.3 
			 E01032434 Wyre Forest 004A 28 4 14.3 
			 E01024196 Dover 011D 21 3 14.3 
			 E01007856 Sheffield 007A 34 5 14.7 
			 E01024741 Tonbridge and Malling 003A 27 4 14.8 
			 E01014948 South Gloucestershire 011C 20 3 15 
			 E01019056 Restormel 008A 20 3 15 
			 (1) The definition of ‘lowest performing’ Lower Layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs) has been based on the proportion achieving five A*-C grades including English and mathematics GCSE. There are 32,482 LSOAs in England of which 9,678 LSOAs have been excluded from the ranking for this list because the indicator is suppressed. Figures are suppressed in order to protect confidentiality. (2) Figures are based on 2010/11 revised data. Source: National Pupil Database

Internet

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what progress is being made in resolving the technical problems which currently prevent access to all but current consultations on his Department's website; how long these problems have been occurring; when he expects the problems to be resolved; and how in the meantime he proposes that the consultation archive, including consultation reports, can be accessed.

Elizabeth Truss: The online consultation function on the Department's website has been offline since 28 June 2012 to enable investigation and repair of a fault. An interim solution has been in place since then to help users to access and respond to current consultations.
	Remedial work was completed earlier this month, and the consultation function is undergoing rigorous tests to ensure that the fault has been rectified, with a report anticipated on Friday 26 October. Once tests have confirmed that the consultation function is fully secure, robust and stable, it will be restored online as soon as possible.
	Consultation reports can be made available by contacting the Department at:
	https://www.education.gov.uk/help/contactus

Schools: Sports

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether his Department will continue to provide funding for one day a week of secondary school physical education teachers' time to be spent encouraging intra- and inter-school competition in primary schools following the end of the 2012-13 academic year.

Edward Timpson: In November 2010, the Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), announced that he was making available funding to release a PE teacher from every secondary school to work with local primary schools to increase opportunities in competitive sport and to encourage them to participate in the School Games. At that time, he made it very clear that this funding would be available for the two academic years 2011/12 and 2012/13 only. Beyond that time, he expects that schools should have embedded this work into their core provision.
	The final payment of PE teacher release funding will be made to eligible schools after April next year. This will cover the summer term 2013.
	The Department is committed to building on the Olympic and Paralympic legacy, including encouraging more competitive sport in schools. We are also supporting the School Games and applaud the impact that they are having on competitive sport in schools and in encouraging more young people to participate in sport. Over 3 million young people from over 10,000 schools have taken part in the School Games.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Local Government: Pay

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the total paybill was for local authorities in the last year for which figures are available; how many people were employed by local authorities in that period; how many such employees earned (a) less than £21,000 per year, (b) £40,000 a year or more, (c) £45,000 a year or more and (d) £50,000 a year or more; and what proportion of the total paybill was paid to employees earning (i) over £40,000 a year, (ii) over £45,000 a year and (iii) over £50,000 a year.

Brandon Lewis: Total expenditure in 2010-11 on employees as reported by authorities to the Department for Communities and Local Government on the Revenue Outturn forms was £65.5 billion. This includes all direct and indirect employee expenses including pay, employers' national insurance and pension contributions, location allowances and other employee related costs such as training and recruitment and retention premia. Separate figures for teachers, police and fire and other local government can be found in table 6.2b of Local Government Financial Statistics:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/statistics/pdf/2158981.pdf
	The other information requested is not collected by the Department.

Non-domestic Rates

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether local authorities will be empowered to introduce payment holidays when they start to retain a proportion of business rates revenue for the purposes of addressing local economic circumstances.

Brandon Lewis: We have already empowered local authorities to grant business rates discounts to local businesses in their area through the Localism Act 2011. This enables local authorities to respond to local circumstances by reducing rate bills as they see fit, which can include providing business rate payment holidays. This is in addition to councils' existing powers to offer discretionary hardship rate relief.
	The Local Government Finance Bill will further promote local economic growth by enabling local authorities to retain a share of the business rates they collect, providing a powerful new financial incentive for councils to support local business growth.

Parking: Morecambe

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will make representations to Lancaster city council in respect of the introduction of a controlled free parking scheme in Morecambe town centre.

Mark Prisk: Councils have a key role in promoting economic development, supporting local economic growth and local jobs. Making sure that car parking charges are reasonable is an important and practical way in which councils can help support their local high streets. Temporary or permanent free parking periods can provide particular boosts to local high streets and town centres.
	This Government have taken steps to support local high streets. Our plans for the local retention of business rates will mean that councils have a direct financial incentive in supporting business and retail growth in town centres. This is in contrast to the local government system we have inherited, where councils had no real incentives to support local high streets and city centres.
	My Department has also tackled flawed parking rules inherited from the last Administration. In January 2011, we amended national planning guidance to:
	remove Whitehall restrictions which imposed maximum numbers of parking spaces in new residential developments;
	change a policy which inhibited competition between council areas to one that said parking charges should not undermine the vitality of town centres;
	introduce a policy that parking enforcement should be proportionate;
	remove the policy that encouraged councils to set car parking charges to discourage the use of cars; and
	increase support for electric car power-charging infrastructure in parking areas.
	The National Planning Policy Framework followed through on these changes by removing restrictions which imposed maximum numbers of parking spaces in new non-residential developments. Greater provision will help relieve pressure on on-street parking and support local high streets.
	As pledged in our response to the Mary Portas Review, we are also taking steps to increase local transparency and accountability on the setting of municipal parking policies. Accordingly, a revised version of the “Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency”, published on 25 October, proposes that local authorities should routinely publish in an open format: revenue from off-street parking charges; revenue from on-street parking charges; the number of off-street parking places; the number of on-street parking places; the revenue from parking fines; and the number of free parking spaces available.

Planning

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many chartered town planners are employed by his Department.

Nicholas Boles: There are 41 posts within the Department for Communities and Local Government that are designated as “specialist planner” posts for which you need to be a qualified town planner eligible for membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Planning Inspectorate

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what training courses were provided for inspectors at the Planning Inspectorate in the last 12 months; by whom the training was presented; and what subjects were covered. [R]

Nicholas Boles: In the last 12 months, the Planning Inspectorate ran internal training courses, using in-house resources, for inspectors on the following subjects:
	Local Plans
	Community Infrastructure Levy
	Waste
	Enforcement
	Gypsy and Travellers
	Tree Preservation Orders
	Roads and Traffic
	National Infrastructure (working with the Judicial College)
	Inquisitorial Methods (working with the Planning and Environmental Bar Association)
	Rights of Way
	In addition the Planning Inspectorate held a three- day annual conference for salaried inspectors in March 2012, which included the following subjects and speakers:
	Viability (Regenerate)
	Housing Land Supply (PCL Planning)
	Environmental Impact Assessments (Planning Inspector)
	Design (Design Council/CABE)
	Planning and Environmental Law Updates (Neil Cameron QC)
	Inquisitorial Methods (Landmark Chambers)
	Noise including Windfarms (Planning Inspector)
	Nature Conservation and Natural Heritage (Bioscan)
	Community Infrastructure Levy and SI06 (Plymouth City Council)
	Built Heritage (English Heritage)

Regional Planning and Development: West Midlands

Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he expects to cease implementation of the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy.

Nicholas Boles: I refer my hon. Friend to the written ministerial statement of the 25 July 2012, Official Report, House of Lords, columns WS66-68, on the timetable and plans for the proposed revocation of the regional strategies, subject to due process and consideration.
	We are making good progress. Reports for the East of England, Yorkshire and Humber, South East and East Midlands have been published for public consultation, and further consultations will follow over the coming weeks.

Departmental Staff

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proportion of his Department's staff are (a) male and (b) female.

Brandon Lewis: At 31 March 2012, the proportion of male staff in the Department for Communities and Local Government was 49% and the proportion of female staff was 51%.

Supermarkets: Planning Permission

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what legislative proposals he intends to bring forward in respect of the creation of an exceptional sign-off for out-of-town supermarkets.

Nicholas Boles: As outlined in both the Government's response to the Mary Portas review and in my written ministerial statement of 26 October 2012, Official Report, columns 71-72WS, it is the continuing policy of the Government to be very selective about calling-in planning applications.
	Parliament has entrusted local planning authorities with the responsibility for day-to-day planning. We will only consider the use of call-in powers if planning issues of more than local importance are involved; such criteria are explained in that statement.
	More broadly, the National Planning Policy Framework provides for a ‘town centre first’ policy, to focus retail development within town centres. Councils' local plans should also shape the scope and location of future retail development.

PRIME MINISTER

Brazil

Nick Harvey: To ask the Prime Minister who accompanied him on his visit to Brazil in September 2012; and, where relevant, which companies they represented.

David Cameron: I have placed in the Libraries of both Houses a list of the business delegation that accompanied me to Brazil.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Billing

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average cost to his Department was of processing the payment of an invoice in the latest period for which figures are available; and what proportion of invoices settled in that period his Department paid (a) electronically and (b) by cheque.

Richard Benyon: The average cost to core DEFRA of processing the payment of an invoice, for the period 1 April-30 September, was £3.56. This includes all overheads.
	Of the invoices settled in that period, 98% were paid electronically and 2% were paid by cheque.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether his Department's estimates of badger numbers in the planned pilot cull areas were reviewed by the Independent Expert Panel overseeing the pilots.

David Heath: holding answer 29 October 2012
	The badger population estimates for the pilot cull areas have not been reviewed by the Independent Expert Panel as this does not fall within the remit of the panel. The methodology for estimating the badger populations was subject to independent peer review.
	The panel's remit is to oversee the monitoring of controlled shooting to test assumptions that it is effective, humane and safe. In terms of effectiveness, that means testing the assumption that controlled shooting provides a means of being able to remove at least 70% of the starting population in the area, over the course of a six week cull. The panel's selected approach is to use badger hair samples collected from in each pilot area. DNA from the culled badgers can then be compared to that of the previously selected samples, thereby providing a reliable estimate of the proportion of the full population that has been culled.
	We will discuss with the panel the implications of the revised population estimates on the monitoring protocols.

Cleaning Services

Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make it his policy to require all cleaning contracts held by his Department to stipulate that the cleaning products used and their ingredients should not have been tested on animals.

Richard Benyon: Core DEFRA has a facilities management contract for its buildings. The primary contractor is responsible for purchasing cleaning products. We do not seek information as to whether those products or any ingredients within them have been tested on animals.

Floods: Cumbria

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the economic cost of flooding in (a) Barrow and Furness constituency and (b) Cumbria in each of the last five years.

Richard Benyon: The Department itself has not carried out any analysis of the economic cost of flooding in Barrow and Furness constituency and Cumbria. However, Cumbria county council's assessment of the 2009 floods confirmed that the floods had an impact across many areas of the Cumbrian economy. The hugely important tourist sector was badly affected in the immediate aftermath as many prospective visitors were deterred from coming to Cumbria, under the impression that the entire county was inaccessible. Considerable numbers of bookings over the Christmas period were lost at an estimated cost of £2.5 million to tourism businesses.
	10 tourism businesses reported damage in excess of £100,000. These were concentrated in Cockermouth, Workington, and the area surrounding Lake Windermere, including Windermere, Bowness, Newby Bridge, Lakeside and Ambleside. Between them these businesses suffered almost £12 million worth of damage. Also the county council-operated port of Workington was forced to close as a result of sediment deposition. The total cost of flood damage to the port is estimated to be in excess of £6.75 million. Very few businesses in Workington were directly affected, but businesses lost trade due to the collapse of the bridges. Cumbria county council estimated the additional costs to business because of increased travel time to be in the region of £2 million per week.

Food: Prices

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason food prices rose by 32 per cent between 2007 and 2012.

David Heath: Research shows that the main drivers behind changes in food prices are global agricultural commodity prices, exchange rates, and fluctuating oil prices. The Government actively monitor food prices and the drivers behind changes in commodity prices.
	Each of these factors has played a role in increasing food prices since 2007. In 2008, the UK pound lost value compared to the US dollar and a basket of other currencies, making food imports more expensive. This change in exchange rate has persisted.
	Oil prices have risen since 2007 and remain high, increasing the cost of transport and manufacturing. Agricultural commodity prices have experienced a series of spikes, and prices have not returned to pre-spike levels in 2007, in large part because of the higher oil price, which affects a number of agricultural inputs such as fertiliser.

Plastic Bags

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to encourage businesses to reduce usage of single-use carrier bags.

Richard Benyon: We continue to work with the Waste and Resources Action Programme to monitor distribution of carrier bags by retailers. Prior to the July 2012 release of the figures on numbers of bags distributed, DEFRA officials met with leading retailers and the British Retail Consortium to discuss these and actions under way to reduce usage.
	We expect retailers to take responsibility and cut down on the number of single-use carrier bags they hand out. The ability to take action also lies with consumers who can decline to accept them, in favour of reusable alternatives.

Plastic Bags

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations he has received on introducing a charging scheme for single-use plastic bags.

Richard Benyon: Since July 2012, 248 items of correspondence have been received in relation to the introduction of a charge for single use carrier bags. 177 of these relate to the ‘Break the Bag Habit’ campaign backed by the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Keep Britain Tidy, the Marine Conservation Society and Surfers Against Sewage.
	A Westminster Hall debate on Government policy on plastic bag, initiated by my hon. Friend the Member for Richmond Park (Zac Goldsmith), took place on 17 October.

Trees: Diseases

Glyn Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of the arrival in the UK of the fungus Chalara fraxinea.

David Heath: The Government are taking the threat posed by “Chalara fraxinea” extremely seriously.
	The Food and Environment Research Agency consulted on a Pest Risk Assessment (PRA) for “Chalara fraxinea” drafted by scientists at the Forestry Commission's Forest Research agency. A PRA summarises evidence on the risk of an organism being introduced, spreading, establishing, causing economic or environmental damage and the prospects of controlling it. The consultation concluded on 26 October 2012.
	The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the right hon. Member for North Shropshire (Mr Paterson), recently approved restrictions on ash imports and movements, in response to the outcome of the consultation on the PRA and the results of surveillance. Forestry Commission legislation to give effect to these restrictions came into force on 29 October, before the main planting season in November. Further surveillance and action against findings are in progress.

Vacancies

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his Department's vacancy rate was in 2011-12; and what vacancy rate has been assumed for 2012-13.

Richard Benyon: The vacancy rate in core DEFRA between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2012 was 276 permanent posts, which represents 12.9% of the permanent headcount of core DEFRA as at 31 March 2012.
	Core DEFRA does not assume a particular vacancy rate for planning purposes. Instead the Department manages staff and financial resources carefully to ensure that they are aligned to delivery of our strategic objectives.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Apprentices

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 24 October 2012, Official Report, column 912W, on apprentices: Brighton, what steps his Department is taking to encourage applications for apprenticeship grants for employers in areas of low take-up.

Matthew Hancock: The National Apprenticeship Service is promoting the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers through extensive engagement with training providers and employers, as well as a national marketing campaign that includes direct mail, telemarketing and promotion through the trade press.
	The National Apprenticeship Service is continuing to develop strategic partnerships with Core Cities and Local Enterprise Partnerships to promote the scheme and promoting the grant locally through activities focused on local employers and local priorities. For example, activities in the Brighton area include events with small and medium-sized employers and specific events linking to Brighton's Digi Media growth sector.

Billing

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the average cost to his Department was of processing the payment of an invoice in the latest period for which figures are available; and what proportion of invoices settled in that period his Department paid (a) electronically and (b) by cheque.

Jo Swinson: The Department has not recently carried out a benchmarking exercise to establish the cost of processing an invoice for payment. The Department will be moving its invoice processing function to a new "Shared Services" provider during the course of this financial year therefore disproportionate costs would be incurred should a benchmarking exercise be carried out at this stage. However, the Shared Service provider which the Department will move to currently produces quarterly figures on the cost of processing an invoice to the Cabinet Office as part of the new Next Generation Shared Services (NGSS) Benchmarking exercise. This allows comparisons to be drawn on the efficiency and effectiveness of Government shared services.
	During 2011/12 the Department made 99% of it payments electronically; the remainder were made by payable order.

Business: Ethics

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has had with internet and social media companies about corporate responsibility; and if he will make a statement.

Jo Swinson: holding answer 6 September 2012
	The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), has not had discussions with internet and social media companies about corporate responsibility.
	However, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has been working with a small group of small and medium-sized enterprises to develop a new Business to Business digital service called Trading for Good. Launched by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb), in July 2012, the purpose of this new service is for small businesses to showcase their responsible practices and to encourage others to do more in the priority areas.

Consumers: Scotland

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the reasons are for the decision to disband the Consumer Network in Scotland.

Jo Swinson: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), has taken no such decision.
	Our response to the consultation ‘Empowering and Protecting Consumers’ set out the decision that publicly funded general consumer advocacy would transfer from Consumer Focus to the Citizens Advice Service in April 2013. In Scotland that means the general advocacy work undertaken by Consumer Focus Scotland will transfer to Citizens Advice Scotland.
	Citizens Advice Scotland has decided that they do not intend to continue to run the Consumer Network in its current form, instead relying on its network of volunteers working in bureaux across Scotland.

Consumers: Scotland

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has had with (a) the Scottish Government, (b) the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and (c) civic society organisations in Scotland on the disbanding of the Consumer Network in Scotland.

Jo Swinson: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), has not had any such discussions.
	Officials in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills have and continue to be involved in discussions with Consumer Focus Scotland and Citizens Advice Scotland to discuss how general consumer advocacy will transfer and be delivered from April 2013.
	In respect of the disbanding of the Consumer Network, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave today (PQ 126034).

Consumers: Scotland

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when his Department expects to respond to the request made in June 2012 by the Scottish Government for the devolution of policy and operational responsibility for consumer education, advice, information and advocacy in Scotland.

Jo Swinson: We expect to respond to the Scottish Government's request for devolution of policy and operational responsibility for consumer education, advice, information and advocacy later this month.

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what consideration his Department has given to compensating replica furniture retailers for loss or damage to their business as a result of the repeal of section 52 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

Jo Swinson: There are currently no such plans.

Ford Motor Company

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  how many times Ministers in his Department have visited the Ford Transit plant in Swaythling since May 2010; and on what dates those visits took place;
	(2)  whether Ministers in his Department have made proposals to Ford to ensure that transit van production is retained in the UK;
	(3)  how many meetings Ministers in his Department have had with Ford at which the future of the Ford Transit plant in Swaythling was discussed since May 2010; and on what dates those meetings took place.

Michael Fallon: holding answer 30 October 2012
	Ministers in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) have not been invited to visit Ford's plant in Southampton since May 2010.
	Ford is a significant investor in the UK and the company is fully aware that Ministers have an open door to discuss their UK operations, including engaging, at an early stage in the decision-making process, on any help or support we might be able to provide. Although we understand that Ford made its decision based on a thorough analysis of their commercial operations in Europe, we are of course disappointed that on this occasion it chose not to engage with us before making its announcement.
	I am the contact minister for Ford. BIS Ministers have met Ford's management on 13 occasions since May 2010 on the following dates:
	
		
			  Minister 
			 12 July 2010 Mark Prisk 
			 22 July 2010 Vince Cable 
			 8 September 2010 Mark Prisk 
			 27 September 2010 Vince Cable(1) 
			 30 September 2010 Mark Prisk 
			 13 June 2011 Vince Cable 
			 21 June 2011 Vince Cable 
			 14 September 2011 Mark Prisk 
			 9 November 2011 Vince Cable 
			 1 February 2012 David Willetts 
			 1 March 2012 Mark Prisk 
			 5 September 2012 Michael Fallon 
			 25/26 September 2012 Michael Fallon 
			 (1 )With the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
		
	
	During those meetings, there was general discussion about the deteriorating market for vehicles in Europe but no closure plans were mentioned in respect of either Southampton or the Dagenham Pressing plants.
	The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), spoke to Ford management on 24 October 2012 when the company indicated that they would be closing both facilities.

Ford Motor Company

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many meetings he has had with executives of Ford since May 2010; at how many such meetings the future of the firm's UK operations were discussed; and on what dates any such meetings took place.

Michael Fallon: Ministers from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills have met executives of Ford on 13 occasions since May 2010 as follows:
	
		
			 Date Minister 
			 12 July 2010 Mark Prisk (the then Minister of State for Business and Enterprise) 
			 22 July 2010 Vince Cable (the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills) 
			 8 September 2010 Mark Prisk 
			   
			 27 September 2010 Vince Cable 
			  The Prime Minister 
			  The Chancellor of the Exchequer 
			   
			 30 September 2010 Mark Prisk 
			 13 June 2011 Vince Cable 
			 21 June 2011 Vince Cable 
			 14 September 2011 Mark Prisk 
			 9 November 2011 Vince Cable 
			 1 February 2012 David Willetts (the Minister of State for Universities and Science) 
			 1 March 2012 Mark Prisk 
			 5 September 2012 Michael Fallon (the Minister of State for Business and Enterprise) 
			 25/26 September 2012 Michael Fallon 
		
	
	During those meetings, there was general discussion about Ford's business activities in the UK.
	On 24 October 2012, the Secretary of State had a telephone conversation with Ford management when the company first indicated that they would be closing their Southampton and Dagenham Pressing plants. Ford also confirmed that their next generation low carbon diesel engine will be designed, engineered and manufactured in the UK and that it expects to do the same for a new petrol engine at Bridgend, ensuring that the UK remains Ford's global centre of powertrain excellence.

Local Enterprise Partnerships

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many applications were received by local enterprise partnerships (LEP) as part of round 2 of the LEP Capacity Fund; and what the value of funds applied for was.

Michael Fallon: The second round of the Capacity Fund, totalling £3 million, has been allocated to each of the 39 local enterprise partnerships in England. They will receive £76,800 spread over the next three financial years to 2014-15.

Planning

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many chartered town planners are employed by his Department.

Jo Swinson: The human resource system currently used by Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) does not hold this information. Therefore it is not known how many chartered town planners are employed in BIS.

Public Appointments

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many appointments made to the boards of public bodies overseen by his Department have been (a) male and (b) female since May 2010.

Jo Swinson: Since May 2010 the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has appointed 96 men and 32 women to the boards of our public bodies.

Departmental Staff

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of his Department's staff are (a) male and (b) female.

Jo Swinson: The following table shows the number and proportion of staff in the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) who are (a) male and (b) female.
	
		
			  Number of staff Percentage against departmental total 
			 Male 1,608 52 
			 Female 1,502 48 
			 Total 3,110 — 
			 Note: Data are BIS Core (including UKTI) and is at 30 September 2012

Internships

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans his Department has to promote social mobility through fair, paid internships across the public and private sector.

David Willetts: High quality internships offer many benefits to employers and interns. The Government believe that fair access to such opportunities is important. We want to see as many high quality internship opportunities as possible being made available to talented young people from all backgrounds.
	In the Social Mobility Strategy we explain that we encourage businesses to offer internships openly and transparently and to provide financial support to ensure fair access. This financial support could consist either of payment of at least the appropriate national minimum wage (NMW) rate, or alternatively payment of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses where this is in compliance with NMW law. We have provided guidance to give employers and interns greater clarity on when interns are entitled to the NMW:
	http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?r.l1= 1073858787&r.12=1084822773&r.13=1081657912&r.s= t1&topicId=1096811513
	We are ensuring that enforcement of the minimum wage continues to be effective and that resources are focused where they will have maximum impact. HM Revenue and Customs are conducting targeted enforcement in sectors where internships are common and are working with stakeholders in these sectors to drive up compliance.
	We also endorse the “Common Best Practice Code for High Quality Internships” published by the Gateways to the Professions Collaborative Forum, which we believe will help improve access to the professions for young people from all backgrounds:
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/BISCore/higher-education/docs/C/11-1068-common-best-practice-code-for-quality-internships.pdf
	The BIS sponsored Graduate Talent Pool has provided over 48,000 internship opportunities to date:
	http://graduatetalentpool.direct.gov.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/p!ecaaefg
	Improved quality assurance processes have ensured that in recent months, unpaid and expenses only adverts represent between 2% and 5% of vacancies.

HEALTH

Blood: CJD

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to invest in research into variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease testing of the UK blood supply.

Anna Soubry: There are several tests in development for the detection of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in blood or plasma. The tests are in varying stages of development and the Department supports this process through funding a research group at the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control to provide independent evaluation of the parameters of the test and supplying valuable and rare test materials.
	The Department supports research into test development. The research to take prototype tests to commercial endpoint for use in any large-scale screening of the population is, however, seen as the role of commercial partners and industry.
	The Department sponsors both National Health Service Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), which manages the blood service in England and north Wales, and the National CJD Research and Surveillance Unit, which is collaborating with both NHSBT and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service with its test development. The Department has also provided funding to the MRC Prion Unit, which has helped to support the unit's core test development work, which is funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC).

Breasts: Surgery

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the peak age range was for finished admission episodes for breast surgery in England in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11.

Anna Soubry: The peak age range for finished admission episodes (FAEs) for breast surgery in England in 2009-10 and 2010-11 was 50 to 54, with 11,288 and 11,639 FAEs in those years respectively.
	An FAE is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.

Domestic Violence

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the level of support provided by the NHS to victims of domestic violence; and if he will make a statement.

Anna Soubry: The national health service provides a wide range of support to victims of domestic violence though this is difficult to quantify. Victims can access help and support through a variety of health service providers. Health care professionals also frequently refer victims to specialist providers of domestic violence services. Health care professionals participate in Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences which are convened to support high risk victims.
	The Department has undertaken significant work to promote the identification of victims of domestic violence by health professionals working with the key professional organisations including the Royal Colleges, recognising the key role that health services play in providing opportunities for victims to disclose in a safe environment. This includes the introduction of routine inquiry by midwives who ask all pregnant women whether they are at risk of, or suffering from, domestic violence.
	We are committed to improving standards of care and support for women and child victims of domestic violence. This commitment is outlined in “Improving services for women and child victims of violence: the Department of Health Action Plan” published in November 2010, which sets out how the Department will work with the NHS and partners to address this issue. Further details of the Action Plan are at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_122003
	The health service is in a unique position to help support victims of domestic violence, information on a range of services available through local services that have been set up to ensure women's safety. In December 2005, the Department published “Responding to Domestic Abuse: a handbook for health professionals”. The handbook gives practical guidance to health care professionals on working with patients who may have experienced or are experiencing domestic abuse. A copy of the handbook is at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_4126619.pdf
	On 19 November 2009, the Department published “Improving safety, reducing harm: children, young people and domestic violence A practical toolkit for front-line practitioners”.
	This comprehensive toolkit for health professionals was developed to improve responses to a range of key issues affecting children and young people including domestic violence, bullying, sexual violence and gangs as well as child protection and risk assessments. A copy of the toolkit is at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/@ps/documents/digitalasset/dh_116914.pdf
	Copies of the documents have already been placed in the Library.

Drugs: Babies

Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many babies were born addicted to illegal drugs in each of the last five years.

Anna Soubry: Data on the number of babies born with neonatal withdrawal symptoms from maternal use of illicit or therapeutic drugs are collected, but are not broken down by type of drug. Data for the last five years for which information is available are given in the following table.
	
		
			 Count of finished admission birth episodes(1) (FAEs) with a primary or secondary diagnosis of neonatal withdrawal symptoms from maternal use of drugs(2) for the period 2006-07 to 2010-11(3): Activity in English NHS hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector 
			  Birth FAEs 
			 2006-07 1,074 
			 2007-08 1,105 
			 2008-09 1,062 
			 2009-10 1,150 
		
	
	
		
			 2010-11 1,033 
			 (1) Finished admission (birth) episode (FAE) A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. Birth episodes and ‘other birth event’ episodes were included in these counts. (2) Number of episodes in which the patient had a (named) primary or secondary diagnosis The number of episodes where this diagnosis was recorded in any of the 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) primary and secondary diagnosis fields in a Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) record. Each episode is only counted once, even if the diagnosis is recorded in more than one diagnosis field of the record. ICD-10 code used: P96.1 Neonatal withdrawal symptoms form maternal use of drugs of addiction (3) Assessing growth through time HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage-of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, apparent reductions in activity may be due to a number of procedures which may now be undertaken in out-patient settings and so no longer include in admitted patient HES data. Note: Data quality. HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England and from some independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The Health and Social Care Information Centre

Female Genital Mutilation

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the number of cases of female genital mutilation in the UK in the latest period for which figures are available; and what strategy he has put in place to eradicate this practice.

Anna Soubry: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is illegal in the United Kingdom. It is also illegal to arrange for a child to be taken abroad for FGM. If caught, offenders face a large fine and a prison sentence of up to 14 years. It has been estimated that over 20,000 girls under the age of 15 are at risk of FGM in the UK, and that 66,000 women in the UK are living with the consequences of FGM. However, the true extent is unknown due to the ‘hidden' nature of the crime and the lack of robust prevalence data.
	Additionally, the Health and Social Care Information Centre collect data on Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), with details of all admissions to NHS hospitals in England. HES clinical codes do not currently enable us to identify admissions for FGM-related treatment such as deinfibulation (female circumcision). We are exploring the inclusion of a HES code for deinfibulation in the next update of HES coding scheduled for release in April 2014.
	The Government's commitment to tackle FGM is set out in the Violence against Women and Girls Action Plan and the-Home Office has the lead across Government in tackling FGM. Officials in the Department work very closely on FGM with Home Office counterparts. In February 2011, the Government launched Multi-Agency Practice Guidelines on FGM, which can be used by all health professionals to help them identify girls who may be at risk of FGM. The Home Office is currently reviewing the use of the Guidelines, and expects to complete this review by the end of February 2013.
	This summer the Government and the police engaged in a campaign to crack down on FGM during the summer holiday period—traditionally the time of greatest risk for girls being taken abroad to undergo the practice. More than 80,000 leaflets and posters have been distributed to schools, health services, charities and community groups across the country.

Haemophilia

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the risk of viral contamination from blood products supplied to patients with haemophilia.

Anna Soubry: Haemophilia is a group of genetic disorders that result in a deficiency of clotting factors in the blood, so the body is unable to control bleeding. There is no cure, and people with moderate or severe haemophilia need regular treatment with clotting factor products to manage their condition.
	The regulations concerning the collection and processing of human blood require the manufacturers of blood products, such as clotting factors, to have many safeguards in place to ensure that the risk of viral contamination of their products is reduced to a minimum. These include the use of qualified donors only, the testing of donated blood and blood pools, and the use of virus removal and virus inactivation steps in the manufacture of blood products.
	As of 29 October 2012, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has received a total of 464 adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports concerning drug substances used to treat patients with haemophilia. Of these 464 ADR reports, 54 were associated with a possible viral contamination of the blood product, leading to viral infection. 52 of these cases were reported prior to 1997. The most recent report was received in 2007. Because of the nature of the reporting system, however, such reports do not necessarily mean that the adverse reactions were caused by the treatments.
	Since 1998, synthetic (recombinant) clotting factors for the treatment of people with haemophilia have been provided for those up to the age of 16 years, and for all patients for whom they are suitable since 2005. This significantly reduces the potential risk of transmitting an infection. Some patients, however, still require human plasma-derived clotting factors.

Haemophilia

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether the Government accepts a responsibility to provide financial support to people with haemophilia who suffered viral contamination from blood products in the 1970s and 1980s;
	(2)  if he will consider establishing a public inquiry into the circumstances which resulted in the viral contamination from blood products to patients with haemophilia in the 1970s and 1980s.

Anna Soubry: In recognition at the time of the unique position of haemophiliacs infected with HIV through treatment with blood and blood products supplied by the national health service, the Government funded an ex gratia financial support package in the late 1980s. The system of financial support has since been extended and improved by successive governments, including to people infected with hepatitis C. In January 2011, this Government announced significant improvements to the financial support available to those with hepatitis C, following a review of the scientific and clinical evidence.
	All relevant facts relating to NHS-supplied contaminated blood or blood products in England are in the public domain and documents held by the Department on blood safety from 1970-1985 are available on the Department's website, at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/FreedomOfInformation/Freedomofinformationpublicationschemefeedback/FOIreleases/DH_076693
	It has therefore been the view of successive governments that after all this time, there is no justification for a public inquiry.

Heart Diseases: Children

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the further review of children's cardiac services to be completed by 28 February 2013 that he announced in his letter to local authorities of 22 October 2012 will also include a review of adult and children's extra-corporeal oxygenation services in England.

Anna Soubry: The Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) provides advice to the Secretary of State on the plans that the national health service puts forward for significant change to services. It cannot review decisions taken by the Secretary of State on nationally commissioned highly specialised services.
	The Secretary of State has asked the IRP to conduct a full review of the Safe and Sustainable review of children's congenital heart services. It will review the decision of the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts on the future pattern of children's congenital heart surgery and its consideration of the impact of that, which may include possible consequences for other services. The Secretary of State's decision to move children's extra-corporeal oxygenation services (ECMO) to Birmingham does not affect the provision of adult ECMO services at Leicester, which will continue.
	The terms of reference for the review are available online at:
	www.irpanel.org.uk

Heart Diseases: Children

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on which occasions the Chief Executive of the NHS and the Chief Executive of Birmingham Children's Hospital, have discussed, emailed, or otherwise communicated with each other about the future of children's cardiac services and extra corporeal oxygenation services in England since the inception of the Safe and Sustainable cardiac review for children's services in England.

Anna Soubry: There have been no occasions, since the inception of the Safe and Sustainable review for children's services in England, during which the NHS chief executive and the chief executive of Birmingham Children's Hospital have emailed, corresponded or met to discuss the future of children's cardiac or extra corporeal membrane oxygenation services in England.

Heart Diseases: West Sussex

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the peak age range for finished admission episodes for coronary artery bypass surgery was in (a) West Sussex and (b) St Richard's Hospital, Chichester in each of the last three years.

Anna Soubry: Information held by the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre shows that in each of the last three years there were no finished admission episodes where the main operative procedure was coronary artery bypass graft either where the primary care trust (PCT) of the main hospital provider was West Sussex PCT or the hospital provider was Western Sussex Hospitals Trust, which includes St Richard's Hospital, Chichester.

Hip Replacements: West Sussex

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the peak age range for finished admission episodes for hip replacement procedures was in (a) West Sussex and (b) St Richard's Hospital, Chichester in each of the last three years.

Anna Soubry: Information is not available in the format requested. The number of finished admission episodes for hip replacement procedures in West Sussex primary care trust (PCT) area, including West Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust (of which St Richard's is a part) are shown in the following tables:
	
		
			 Finished admission episodes(1) with a main operative procedure(2) of hip replacement surgery(3) for West Sussex PCT of main provider(4) and Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust(5) by five year age bands from 2008-09 to 2010-11(6). Activity in English NHS hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector 
			  West Sussex PCT of main provider 
			 Age band 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			 0-4 — — — 
			 5-9 — — — 
			 10-14 — — — 
			 15-19 — — — 
			 20-24 (7)— — — 
			 25-29 (7)— (7)— (7)— 
			 30-34 6 (7)— (7)— 
			 35-39 14 8 11 
			 40-44 19 (7)— 13 
			 45-49 25 18 38 
			 50-54 62 31 50 
			 55-59 81 42 99 
			 60-64 171 114 171 
			 65-69 244 144 205 
			 70-74 307 197 265 
			 75-79 368 234 289 
			 80-84 257 230 265 
			 85-89 185 169 184 
			 90-120 113 112 112 
			 Age not known (7)— — (7)— 
		
	
	
		
			 Total 1,858 1,307 1,709 
		
	
	
		
			  RPL Worthing and Southlands Hospital Trust RPR-X Royal West Sussex NHS Trust RYR-X Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust 
			 Age band 2008-09 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			 0-4 — — — — 
			 5-9 — — — — 
			 10-14 — — — — 
			 15-19 — — — — 
			 20-24 — — — — 
			 25-29 (7)— (7)— (7)— — 
			 30-34 (7)— (7)— (7)— — 
			 35-39 (7)— (7)— 7 (7)— 
			 40-44 7 8 (7)— 6 
			 45-49 10 9 18 13 
			 50-54 13 26 31 22 
			 55-59 28 22 42 57 
			 60-64 44 65 109 97 
			 65-69 58 86 141 115 
			 70-74 104 120 194 176 
			 75-79 153 129 230 212 
			 80-84 107 104 229 203 
			 85-89 84 73 169 164 
			 90-120 57 51 112 107 
			 Age not known — — — — 
			 Total 674 696 1,290 1,177 
			 (1 )Finished admission episodesA finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. (2)Main procedureThe first recorded procedure or intervention in each episode, usually the most resource intensive procedure or intervention performed during the episode. It is appropriate to use main procedure when looking at admission details, e.g. time waited, but a more complete count of episodes with a particular procedure is obtained by looking at the main and the secondary procedures. (3)OPCS 4 Codes for hip replacement surgeryW37-39, W46-48, W93-95. (4)PCT of main providerThis indicates the PCT area within which the organisation providing treatment was located. (5)Hospital providerRYR-X Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust was formed in 2009-10 as a merger of RPL Worthing and Southlands Hospital Trust and RPR-X Royal West Sussex NHS Trust. We have therefore provided data for both of these trusts for 2008-09. A provider code is a unique code that identifies an organisation acting as a health care provider (e.g. NHS trust or PCT). (6)Assessing growth through timeHES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care. (7)Small numbersCounts between 1 and 5 have been suppressed in order to protect patient confidentiality. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre.

Knee Replacements

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the peak age range was for finished admission episodes for knee replacement surgery in England in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11.

Anna Soubry: The information requested is available in the following table.
	
		
			 Finished admission episodes(1) with a main operative procedure(2) of knee replacement surgery(3) by five year age bands 2009-10 and 2010-11(4) 
			 Activity in English NHS hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector 
			 Age band 2009-10 2010-11 
			 0-4 — 2 
			 5-9 1 — 
			 10-14 1 — 
			 15-19 2 4 
			 20-24 15 13 
			 25-29 27 21 
			 30-34 56 45 
			 35-39 155 125 
			 40-44 514 529 
			 45-49 1,410 1,468 
			 50-54 3,274 3,581 
			 55-59 6,136 6,511 
			 60-64 11,698 12,174 
			 65-69 13,438 14,213 
			 70-74 14,916 15,585 
			 75-79 12,991 13,434 
			 80-84 7,634 7,857 
			 85-89 2,772 2,904 
			 90-120 310 407 
			 Age not known 34 39 
			 Total 75,384 78,912 
			 (1) Finished admission episodes A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. (2) Main procedure The first recorded procedure or intervention in each episode, usually the most resource intensive procedure or intervention performed during the episode. It is appropriate to use main procedure when looking at admission details, (eg time waited), but a more complete count of episodes with a particular procedure is obtained by looking at the main and the secondary procedures. (3) OPCS 4 Codes for Knee replacement surgery W40-42 (excluding W40.0, W41.0, W42.0, W42.4, W42.6) O18 (excluding O18.4) W58.1 (followed by secondary code of Z84.4 or Z84.5), W52-54 (excluding W54.4) followed by secondary code: Z76.5, Z77.4, Z84.4, Z84.5 or Z84.6. 4 Assessing growth through time (Inpatients) HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre

Mental Illness

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has not repeated the Psychiatric Morbidity Survey since 2007; and if the ONS will consider repeating the survey.

Norman Lamb: Responsibility for the commissioning of the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey rests with the Department rather than the Office for National Statistics. The survey has taken place every seven years since 1993 and has been carried out by the NHS Information Centre (NHSIC) since its inception in 2005. The Department and the NHSIC are currently discussing plans for the next survey which should take place in 2014.

NHS: Pay

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total pay bill was for the NHS in the last year for which figures are available; how many people were employed by the NHS in that period; how many such employees earned (a) less than £21,000 per year, (b) £40,000 a year or more, (c) £45,000 a year or more and (d) £50,000 a year or more; and what proportion of the total pay bill was paid to employees earning (i) over £40,000 a year, (ii) over £45,000 a year and (iii) over £50,000 a year.

Daniel Poulter: The National Health Service Hospital and Community Health Services pay bill was approximately £43 billion in 2011-12. This excludes spending on agency and bank staff.
	Over 2011-12, the size of the work force averaged around 1,200,000 individuals or around 1,040,000 in full-time equivalent terms.
	Validated earnings information is not held centrally for NHS staff. However, estimates on the earnings distributions of NHS staff can be made using data from the Electronic Staff Record (ESR) which is a human resource and payroll system that covers all NHS employees other than those working in general practice, two trusts that elected not to use ESR (Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust), and a relatively small number of NHS staff who have transferred to social enterprises or other organisations which do not use ESR.
	The data on ESR include details of all payments made to staff, which will not necessarily equate to salary or contracted earnings.
	Over 2011-12 there was:
	(a) an estimated average of around 445,000 individuals with annualised earnings less than £21,000 per year;
	(b) an estimated average of around 230,000 individuals with annualised earnings of £40,000 or more per year;
	(c) an estimated average of around 160,000 individuals with annualised earnings of £45,000 or more per year; and
	(d) an estimated average of around 115,000 individuals with annualised earnings of £50,000 or more per year.
	Over 2011-12:
	(i) around a sixth of the pay bill is estimated to have related to individuals with annualised earnings less than £21,000 per year;
	(ii) around four-tenths of the pay bill is estimated to have related to individuals with annualised earnings of £40,000 or more per year;
	(iii) around a third of the pay bill is estimated to have related to individuals with annualised earnings of £45,000 or more per year;
	(iv) around a quarter of the pay bill is estimated to have related to individuals with annualised earnings of £50,000 or more per year.

NHS: Private Sector

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with his Cabinet colleagues on extending Freedom of Information legislation to cover private providers of NHS services.

Helen Grant: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.
	We recognise there are arguments for increased transparency by all bodies in receipt of public funds, including private providers of NHS services. However, this needs to be balanced with reducing the regulatory burden on business.
	The Justice Select Committee published its post-legislative scrutiny report on the operation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) on 26 July. The Government is currently considering its response to the Justice Committee, including the extent to which private providers of public services should be subject to FOIA. We intend to publish our response shortly.

Prescription Drugs

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of long-term prescription medications to manage chronic pain in terms of impairment; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Lamb: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the Government agency responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work, and are acceptably safe. When assessing new medicines, including those for the management of chronic pain, the MHRA considers the benefits of administering the product for the proposed indications versus the potential adverse effects.

Press: Subscriptions

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on newspapers, periodicals and trade publications in the last 12 months.

Daniel Poulter: In the last 12 months (October 2011 to September 2012), the Department has spent £131,535 on newspapers, periodicals and trade publications.
	The Department's Knowledge Centre is responsible for central provision of library services, including newspapers, periodicals and trade publications. The figures above do not include expenditure on items for retention by individual divisions, responsibility for which was decentralised in April 2010. Details on this expenditure are not available.

Staff

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on (a) recruitment agency fees, (b) outplacement agency fees for displaced or redundant staff and (c) staff training in each of the last 12 months.

Daniel Poulter: The Department does not hold information on recruitment agency fees in the form requested. While the Department's central procurement system is able to identify total payments made to recruitment agencies it is not possible to isolate the fee element of any of those payments.
	The total cost of fees for outplacement services in the past 12 months was £2,851.20 including VAT. Fees are not paid every month, only when required for the service. In the last 12 months only two payments were made: £1,042.80 for August and £1,808.40 for September.
	Corporate departmental spend on staff training for learning and development (L&D) for the calendar year October 2011 to September 2012 (the most recent complete year for which data are available) is set out in the following table:
	
		
			  £ 
			 2011  
			 October 21,201.16 
			 November 36,080.82 
			 December 10,287.31 
			   
			 2012  
			 January 3,995.20 
			 February 19,073.80 
			 March 5,162.40 
			 April 0 
			 May 6,894.32 
			 June 0 
			 July 109,475.00 
			 August 8,210.88 
			 September 12,904.80 
			 Overall total 233,285.69 
		
	
	The table outlines central L&D spend only, ie training that is funded centrally by human resources. Individual directorates may also have additional L&D budgets. However, this expenditure is not tracked or analysed centrally.

Surgery

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the peak age range for finished admission episodes for elective colorectal excision procedures in England was in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11.

Anna Soubry: The peak age range for finished admission episodes (FAEs) for elective colorectal excision procedures in England in 2009-10 and 2010-11 was 60 to 69 with 17,402 and 20,781 FAEs in those years respectively.
	An FAE is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.

CABINET OFFICE

Billing

Mike Freer: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the average cost to his Department was of processing the payment of an invoice in the latest period for which figures are available; and what proportion of invoices settled in that period his Department paid (a) electronically and (b) by cheque.

Chloe Smith: The average cost of processing an invoice for August 2012 was £2.69. All invoices are paid electronically.
	In line with other year-on-year efficiencies delivered through the Cabinet Office's commercial relationship with DWP, the cost of processing of invoices has fallen since 2010.

Civil Servants: Scotland

Margaret Curran: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer of 26 October 2012, Official Report column 1069W, on civil servants: Scotland, what the total salary costs were of the 29,990 civil servants employed by UK Government Departments and their agencies in Scotland in the last year for which figures are available.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Glen Watson, dated October 2012
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question. (126101)
	Data are collected on the gross salary of civil servants on an annual basis, with 31 March as the reference date. The gross annual salary is inclusive of basic pay (including consolidated performance pay) and pay related allowances such as regional and skill allowances (including recruitment and retention allowance). It does not include bonuses.
	The latest available data are for March 2012. The total annual salary costs for civil servants employed by UK Government departments and their agencies (excluding Scottish Government and its agencies) in Scotland are £684.5 million.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when he intends to answer the letter dated 28 August 2012 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mrs C Blackhurst, forwarded from the Department for Work and Pensions.

Nick Hurd: I have replied to the right hon. Member's letter.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Research and Development

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much his Office spent on research and development in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10, (c) 2010-11 and (d) 2011-12; and how much he plans to spend in (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14 and (iii) 2014-15.

Nicholas Clegg: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr Maude), on 31 October 2012, Official Report, column 218W.

Turkey

Nick Harvey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister who accompanied him on his visit to Turkey in October 2012; and, where relevant, which companies they represented.

Nicholas Clegg: During my visit to Turkey I was accompanied by the following:
	right hon. Michael Fallon MP
	Michael Fallon's Private Secretary
	DPM Private Secretary
	DPM Head of Communications
	DPM Special Adviser (Policy)
	DPM Special Adviser (Media)
	DPM Police Protection Officers
	Steve Morriss: AECOM
	Bill Caplan: Aggreko
	Donald McGarva: Amino Communications Ltd
	Peter Budd: Arup
	Steve Novis: Atkins Polska
	Andrew Renton: Bird and Bird LLP
	Stephen Voller: Cella Energy
	Bart Simpson: Delcam plc
	Enrico Bertagna: Lloyd's of London
	Robert Fig: London Metal Exchange
	Mark Richards: Mace Ltd
	Chris Chalk: Mott McDonald
	Alan Lamond: Pascall and Watson architects
	John Hill: Pera
	John Barrow: Populous
	James Sutcliffe: Port Evolution Management UK
	Stephen Clarke: Ricardo plc
	Adam Lawrence: Royal Mint
	Alex Cresswell: Thales UK
	Neil Parison: Rolls-Royce
	Note
	Rolls Royce did not travel from the UK, but had company representation in Turkey.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what definition is used to distinguish between (a) insurgents and (b) civilians when reporting casualties in Afghanistan.

Andrew Murrison: Within the context of the operational environment in Afghanistan, we report the number of casualties that are caused by UK forces' actions, whether these are civilian or insurgent casualties, as accurately as practicable.
	The Ministry of Defence does not, as a matter of course, monitor overall insurgent or civilian casualty figures.
	However, where a possible civilian casualty is reported, UK forces will investigate the circumstances. The presumption of that investigation will be that any casualty is a civilian unless it can be established that the individual was directly involved in immediate attempts or plans to threaten the lives of International Security Assistance Force personnel.

Afghanistan

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there have been delays to the delivery of (a) protective glasses and (b) uniforms to theatre in Afghanistan; and what the length of any such delays has been.

Philip Dunne: holding answer 29 October 2012
	There have been no reported delays in the delivery of protective glasses or uniforms to service personnel currently deployed on operations in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many missiles have been fired by Royal Air Force unmanned aerial vehicles in Afghanistan since the introduction of those vehicles.

Andrew Robathan: Reaper is the only UK remotely piloted air system (RPAS) and has been armed with precision guided weapons since May 2008. As of 22 October 2012, the UK Reaper RPAS has provided more than 40,000 hours of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to UK and coalition forces in Afghanistan. 293 Hellfire precision guided missiles and 52 laser guided bombs have been deployed using the UK Reaper RPAS.
	Reaper is not an autonomous system and all weapons employment depends upon commands from the flight crew. The weapons may be released under the command of a pilot who uses Rules of Engagement (ROE) that are no different to those used for manned UK combat aircraft. The targets are always positively identified as legitimate military objectives, and attacks are prosecuted in strict accordance with the Law of Armed Conflict and UK ROE. Every effort is made to ensure the risk of collateral damage, including civilian casualties, is minimised.

Aircraft Carriers

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the dimensions are of the main cargo and aircraft lift planned for the Queen Elizabeth class carrier.

Philip Dunne: holding answer 29 October 2012
	There are two aircraft lifts on each Queen Elizabeth class carrier, which measure around 28 metres long, 15 metres wide, and 2.5 metres deep.

Armed Forces

Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent estimate he has made of the deployable collective protection capacity of Defence Medical Services with regard to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.

Andrew Robathan: The collective protection capacity of the Defence Medical Services with regard to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats has been assessed during a number of departmental audits between July 2011 and July 2012. The details of these audits are classified in the interests of national security.

Armed Forces

Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Defence Medical Service personnel are currently trained to (a) treat and (b) decontaminate patients contaminated with chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear material.

Andrew Robathan: Two training courses are run for Defence Medical Service personnel that cover both treatment and decontamination in a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) environment.
	The CBRN Clinical Course is designed to train pre-hospital and hospital (medical, nursing and paramedic) personnel in the recognition, triage and management of casualties in a CBRN environment and beyond, including casualty decontamination. The course has a "life" of five years, and to date a total of 150 personnel have attended since 2008-09 (so would be regarded as currently qualified).
	The Emergency Medical Treatment course is designed to train pre-hospital medical personnel (specifically junior doctors) in the recognition, triage and management of casualties in a CBRN environment, including casualty decontamination. The course has a "life" of three years, and to date a total of 294 personnel have attended since 2009-10 (so would be regarded as currently qualified).
	While these figures show the numbers that have attended the courses, centrally maintained records do not indicate how many of the individual personnel have left the services since attending. Precise numbers could only be obtained by reference to the personal files of each individual who is recorded as having attended one of the courses, which would entail disproportionate cost.

Armed Forces: Training

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost savings to his Department of the changes to the Military Flight Training System programme; and over what period such savings are expected to be achieved.

Philip Dunne: holding answer 25 October 2012
	There have been no significant changes to those elements of the UK Military Flying Training System that are currently under contract. While savings are expected to be achieved for those elements of the programme not currently under contract, it would be prejudicial to commercial interests to disclose these assessments.

Guided Weapons

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 22 October 2012, Official Report, column 614W, on guided weapons, whether the Royal Navy had any direct involvement in the procurement of Fire Shadow.

Philip Dunne: holding answer 29 October 2012
	The Royal Navy's involvement in the procurement of the Fire Shadow weapon system has been limited to participation in briefings in order to maintain awareness and general understanding.

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the elements of Lightning II aircraft variants are common.

Philip Dunne: holding answer 25 October 2012
	The elements of the Lightning II (F35) Avionics and Mission systems suite are 100% common across all variants.
	The proportion of component parts of the aircraft that are common to all variants are as follows:
	
		
			  Percentage 
			 F35-A 39 
			 F35-B 30 
			 F35-C 28

Libya

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 22 October 2012, Official Report, column 615W, on Libya: military intervention, which aircraft provided the mid-air refuelling to the Tornado aircraft flying to Libyan airspace from (a) Italy and (b) RAF Marham.

Andrew Robathan: During Operation Ellamy, Tornado aircraft flying to Libyan airspace from Gioia Del Colle airbase in Italy were provided air-to-air refuelling by Royal Air Force VC10 and Tristar aircraft, as well as coalition tanker aircraft.
	For the air-to-air refuelling aircraft which fuelled Tornado aircraft flying to Libyan airspace from RAF Marham, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 29 October 2012, Official Report, column 30W.

Military Aircraft: Helicopters

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the purchase of training helicopters to support the rotary wing training programme has been deferred until after the next strategic defence and security review; and if he will make a statement.

Philip Dunne: Since 1997, rotary wing training has been contracted to FB Heliservices who have operated the Defence Helicopter Flying School. In April 2012, this contract was extended for four years to 2016. A study is currently being conducted to determine how best to take forward rotary wing training after 2016.

Military Attachés

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many defence attachés have been based in overseas embassies and high commissions in each of the last seven years.

Andrew Murrison: holding answer 25 October 2012
	The number of defence attachés in overseas embassies and high commissions in each of the last seven years is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Defence attachés Number of defence sections 
			 2006 127 84 
			 2007 124 82 
			 2008 119 81 
			 2009 116 79 
			 2010 105 71 
			 2011 110 74 
			 2012 111 73 
		
	
	Defence sections may also employ senior non-commissioned officers, United Kingdom-based civilians and locally engaged civilians as support staff. Such staff are not included in the table.
	There are a number of defence attachés who have attaché accreditation in countries in which they are non-resident. During 2012, the 73 overseas defence sections provided defence attaché services to a further 74 countries.
	An announcement will soon be made about the development of the defence attaché network after the International Defence Engagement Strategy is launched by Ministers.

Persian Gulf

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total current deployment of UK naval vessels in the Persian Gulf is; and how many military personnel are attached to UK bases in the region.

Andrew Robathan: As of 31 October 2012, the UK has the following naval vessels deployed in the Gulf region (including the Red sea, Arabian gulf and Indian ocean):
	One Type 45 Destroyer
	One Type 23 Frigate
	Four Mine Countermeasure vessels
	Four Royal Fleet Auxiliary support vessels
	One Echo-class survey vessel
	Trafalgar class submarines are also deployed periodically in the Gulf region.
	The UK does not have any bases in the region. However, there are currently just under 2,000 UK military personnel in the region serving on current operations, of which the majority are royal naval personnel based predominately at sea. It is not possible to provide an exact figure as the number fluctuates for a variety of reasons, including mid-tour rest and recuperation, temporary absence for training, evacuation for medical reasons, the roulement of forces, visits and a range of other factors.

Syria

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the UK has supplied unmanned aerial vehicles to Syria in the last three years.

Michael Fallon: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
	The Government do hold details of export licensing decisions and, for the period specified, there are no records relating to the proposed export of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Syria. However, some UAVs are not strategically controlled because they are not of significant military utility and therefore do not require a licence for export or trade activity and, where this is the case, we do not hold information about what may have been supplied without a licence.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there was any British industrial interest in the procurement of Fire Scout.

Philip Dunne: holding answer 25 October 2012
	Fire Scout is a commercial product, manufactured by Northrop Grumman for the US armed forces. It does not meet any endorsed UK capability need and the Ministry of Defence is unable to comment on British industrial interest in it.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Cleaning Services

Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to require all cleaning contracts held by his Department to stipulate that the cleaning products used and their ingredients should not have been tested on animals.

Mark Hoban: The Department has a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract with Telereal Trillium for the provision of fully serviced accommodation, including the provision of cleaning. The cleaning contractor used by Telereal Trillium is Mitie Group plc. This company does not use cleaning products or ingredients in cleaning products that have been tested on animals and has confirmed that it is their policy not to do so.

Council Housing

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects local councils to begin reducing benefits to council home tenants who have spare bedrooms.

Steve Webb: The measure introducing a reduction from housing benefit for working age social sector tenants who under occupy their home comes into force from 1 April 2013, both for those already receiving benefit and those making a new claim.

Disability Living Allowance

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what records his Department keeps of mortality rates amongst persons taken off disability living allowance.

Esther McVey: The information requested is not collated or held by the Department.

Housing Benefit

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many housing benefit claimants under the age of 25 living in (a) the social rented sector and (b) the private rented sector are (i) single and without children, (ii) single with children, (iii) in a couple and without children and (iv) in a couple with children.

Steve Webb: The requested information is in the following table.
	
		
			 Housing benefit recipients under the age of 25 and living in the social rented sector and the private rented sector by family type, May 2012 
			  Age All Single, no child dependant Single with child dependant(s) Couple, no child dependant Couple with child dependant 
			 Social rented sector All ages 3,382,870 2,000,490 690,700 375,320 316,370 
			  Under 25 201,320 94,280 86,270 5,780 14,980 
		
	
	
		
			 Private rented sector All ages 1,645,730 777,410 492,170 123,280 252,870 
			  Under 25 182,120 70,440 85,300 8,760 17,610 
			 Notes: 1. The data refer to benefit units which may be a single person or a couple. 2. The figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. 3. Recipients are as at second Thursday of the month. 4. SHBE is a monthly electronic scan of claimant level data direct from local authority computer systems. It replaces quarterly aggregate clerical returns. The data are available monthly from November 2008 and May 2012 is the latest available. 5. Age groups are based on the age on the count date (second Thursday of the month), of either: (a) the recipient if they are single, or (b) the elder of the recipient or partner if claiming as a couple. 6. Components may not sum to total due to (i) independent rounding, (ii) exclusion of claimants with unknown age. Source: Single Housing Benefit Extract (SHBE)

Housing Benefit: Cumbria

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in (a) Barrow and Furness constituency and (b) Cumbria were in receipt of the rent element of housing benefit in the 2011-12 tax year.

Steve Webb: Statistics for the number of people receiving housing benefit in the social rented and private rented sector in Cumbria are published on the Department's website at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/hb_ctb/hbctb_release_apr11.xls
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/hb_ctb/hbctb_release_jun12.xls
	Figures are shown under the heading “Tenancy Type” and give a breakdown by each local authority in Cumbria.

Jobcentre Plus: Liverpool

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which Minister in his Department approved the decision to close the Old Swan Jobcentre Plus office in Liverpool.

Mark Hoban: My predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling), after considering all the facts, approved the decision not to re-open Old Swan Jobcentre. The office was closed following an arson attack earlier this year.

Social Security Benefits: Cumbria

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in (a) Barrow and Furness constituency and (b) Cumbria were in receipt of (i) funeral payments, (ii) Sure Start maternity grants and (iii) cold weather payments in the 2011-12 tax year.

Steve Webb: Table 1 provides the number of funeral payments and Sure Start maternity grants paid out in the Chorlton BDC social fund budget area in 2011-12. Barrow and Furness parliamentary constituency and Cumbria are contained within this budget area.
	
		
			 Table 1: Total number of funeral payments and Sure Start maternity grants paid out to residents in the Chorlton BDC social fund budget area in 2011-12 
			 Award type Number of awards 
			 Funeral payments 3,700 
			 Sure Start maternity grants 8,300 
			 Source: Department for Work and Pensions Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System 
		
	
	Cold weather payments are paid based on the temperatures recorded at certain weather stations around the country. Residents in Cumbria are covered by a number of weather stations. Table 2 shows the number of eligible recipients paid at least one cold weather payment with respect to each of these weather stations during 2011-12. Barrow and Furness parliamentary constituency was covered by Walney Island weather station.
	
		
			 Table 2: Estimated number of eligible recipients who received a cold weather payment in 2011-12 
			 Area Eligible recipients 
			 Bainbridge 4,500 
			 Carlisle 0 
			 Eskdalemuir 5,200 
			 Redesdale 4,500 
			 Shap 5,000 
			 St Bees Head 0 
			 Stonyhurst 25,400 
			 Walney Island 0 
			 Total 44,600 
			 Notes: 1. The funeral payment and Sure Start maternity grant figures relate to awards, not people. Individuals can apply for and receive more than one of these payments in any given year. The number of unique individuals who received these awards is not recorded. 2. Data on funeral payments and Sure Start maternity grants are not held by parliamentary constituency or county but by Jobcentre Plus social fund budget area. The figures for the Chorlton BDC social fund budget area cover both the Barrow and Furness constituency and Cumbria, but will also include awards made to residents in other areas. 3. The information provided is management information. Our preference is to answer all parliamentary questions using Official/National Statistics but in this case we only have management information available. It is not quality assured to the same extent as Official/National statistics and there are some issues with the data; for example, they will not include awards which were processed clerically and have not yet been entered on to the social fund computer system. 4. Cold weather payments are paid out to eligible recipients if an average temperature of 0° C is recorded or forecast for seven consecutive days at the weather station linked to the recipient's postcode. 5. Cold weather payments are made to benefit units rather than to households or individuals. A benefit unit can be a single person or a couple and can include children. The number of individual recipients is not available. 6. The cold weather payment figures have been estimated based on eligibility on 31 October 2011. The exact number of payments made in 2011-12 is not recorded. 7. The estimated number of benefit units which have received cold weather payments relates to the entire area that the weather station covers, not just to that in the listed parliamentary constituencies and counties. 8. Weather station boundaries are determined by postcode and are not directly linked to parliamentary constituency or county boundaries. In particular, Walney Island weather station also covers areas outside the Barrow and Furness constituency and the full list of weather stations given in Table 2 together cover Cumbria but also contain residents in other areas. It is not possible to break the data down further. 9. All given figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. Source: Department for Work and Pensions records of the triggers to weather stations in the period 1 November 2011 to 31 March 2012 and estimated numbers of potential qualifiers by weather station.

Universal Credit

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the potential monetary value of savings made from the removal of the housing benefit disregard of child care costs for housing benefit claimants under the introduction of universal credit.

Steve Webb: The Government are not making any overall savings from the removal of the disregard of child care costs for housing benefit and council tax benefit claimants under the introduction of universal credit. In fact, the Government will invest an extra £300 million into child care support.

Universal Credit

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of (a) the number of people affected by and (b) the (i) average and (ii) maximum cash loss to families arising from the removal of the housing benefit disregard of child care costs for housing benefit claimants under the introduction of universal credit.

Steve Webb: The information is as follows:
	(a) The Department estimates that approximately 100,000 families currently receive support for child care costs from both the child care element of working tax credit and one or both of the disregards for child care costs available through housing benefit and council tax benefit. (Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 100,000.)
	(b) The information requested is not available. Universal credit is a single payment; it is not possible to disaggregate an award into amounts that correspond to individual elements once the disregard and taper have been applied.
	Where families would receive less support under universal credit, a package of transitional protection will ensure that they do not lose out in cash terms as a result of the move to universal credit and where circumstances have not otherwise changed.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 13 June 2012, Official Report, columns 473-4W, on universal credit, what recent estimate he has made of expenditure on the universal credit programme in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14 and (d) 2014-15.

Mark Hoban: The 2010 spending review settlement included funding of £2 billion for the period 2011-12 to 2014-15. This is intended to meet all the costs of introducing universal credit including any increases in benefit expenditure, additional benefit administration costs in the transition period, the costs of IT development and implementation, communications, staff training and programme management.
	The Department spent £103 million in 2011-12 and is estimating on current plans to spend a total of £345 million in 2012-13, £495 million in 2013-14 and £1,030 million in 2014-15.

Work Capability Assessment

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 22 October 2012, Official Report, column 739W, on the work capability assessment, if he will amend the application form for employment and support allowance in order to invite applicants to submit evidence from medical specialists with their form in circumstances where such evidence is relevant to determining their application.

Mark Hoban: We are not planning any changes to the employment and support allowance application form (ESA1) to invite applicants to submit medical evidence however, the majority of people who make a claim for employment and support allowance will be asked to complete an ESA50 form. This form gives all claimants the opportunity to submit evidence from health care professionals in support of their claim.

Work Capability Assessment

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 22 October 2012, Official Report, column 739W, on the work capability assessment, what discussions he has had with Atos to encourage it to take account of written evidence from medical specialists in work capability assessments; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Hoban: Processes are already in place to ensure that medical evidence can be requested as necessary to help provide advice on benefit entitlement. This is taken into account by Atos Healthcare's healthcare professionals when carrying out assessments.
	All decisions on benefit entitlement are made by DWP decision makers, based on advice from an Atos Healthcare healthcare professional and any evidence provided by a customer's GP or consultant. We recognise the importance of written evidence and this is fully considered where provided.

Work Programme

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 23 October 2012, Official Report, column 839W, on social security benefit, of those whose benefit will be reduced through application of the benefit cap in 2013, which benefit recipients who might be capped will be offered early access to the Work Programme.

Mark Hoban: Claimants who are in receipt of employment and support allowance, incapacity benefit, income support and jobseeker's allowance (JSA) are able to gain early access to the Work Programme.
	JSA claimants in the 18 to 24 and 25+ groups would normally access the Work Programme at nine or 12 months. However, since June 2012 the Department has made early access to the Work Programme available to those JSA claimants likely to be affected by the benefit cap. They are able to volunteer for early access to the Work Programme after three months of pre-Work Programme support from Jobcentre Plus.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Billing

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the average cost to his Department was of processing the payment of an invoice in the latest period for which figures are available; and what proportion of invoices settled in that period his Department paid (a) electronically and (b) by cheque.

David Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) paid 62.5% of global invoices electronically and 27.9% of global invoices by cheque in September 2012. The residual balance is made up of small cash payments made by its overseas offices. The FCO's global operation means that payment of invoices is devolved to its overseas offices and therefore the average cost of processing the payment of an invoice on a global basis is not held centrally and could only be supplied at disproportionate cost.
	Information is available for invoices paid by our UK Corporate Service Centre (CSC) where, for September 2012, the average cost of processing the payment of an invoice was £2.54. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), on 20 October 2012, Official Report, column 614W, where the previous cost was £2.94. The reduction can be explained by a continued drive in the CSC to increase its productivity and efficiency throughout 2011-12. The same resource achieved absorbed 13% more volume in September 2012 as in September 2011.

Burma

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the People's Republic of China in regard to its forced repatriation of Kachin refugees from Burma.

Hugo Swire: I raised the issue of the reported forced repatriation of Kachin refugees with the Chinese ambassador to London on 1 November 2012. In August 2012, in the wake of the recent Human Rights Watch report on Kachin refugees, officials from the British embassy in Beijing raised the issue with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs while at the same time Foreign and Commonwealth Officials in London brought it to the attention of the Chinese embassy in London.

Burma

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to urge the Government of Burma to cease attacks on Kachin civilians and seek a peace process with the Kachin Independence Organisation.

Hugo Swire: We continue to highlight the importance of finding a long-term solution to Burma’s ethnic conflicts, including that in Kachin State, in all our discussions with the Burmese Government. We welcome the Burmese Government’s attempts to build trust with and between ethnic groups including signing cease-fire agreements with 10 ethnic groups. We are now urging the Government to take the next steps towards a process of national political dialogue.
	We are actively supporting the reconciliation process between Burma’s ethnic groups. The Prime Minister announced the allocation of an additional £5 million for immediate peace-building activities during Aung San Suu Kyi’s visit to the UK in June. Our embassy in Rangoon also hosted a visit of UK experts in July with experience of trust-building and peace-building between communities in Northern Ireland. We intend to continue to draw on UK expertise in this area in order to support the reconciliation process.

Burma

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the government of Burma on the conflict in Kachin State.

Hugo Swire: We continue to press the Burmese Government for unrestricted humanitarian access to internally displaced persons across Burma, and to urge the Government to put in place a long-term solution to end ethnic conflict in Burma, particularly in Kachin State.
	Officials from our embassy in Rangoon are also in regular contact with representatives of the Kachin for updates on the peace talks and the humanitarian situation there.
	On 15 July our ambassador met senior figures in the Burmese Government, including the Vice President, to raise the importance of bringing the conflict in Kachin State to an end. The meetings were organised as part of a visit by UK experts focusing on inter-communal trust-building and peace processes.

Cayman Islands

George Galloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests he has received for technical support from the Cayman Islands Government in respect of the Cayman Turtle Farm.

Mark Simmonds: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not received any requests for technical support from the Cayman Islands Government in respect of the Cayman Turtle Farm.
	We are aware that the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has conducted an investigation into the turtle farm, and that it has recently made its findings public. The British Government place great importance on conserving the biodiversity of the Overseas Territories and take seriously reports of animal cruelty throughout the world. We therefore welcome the work that non-governmental organisations such as WSPA undertake in support of international animal welfare issues.
	We understand the farm has carried out a review of its operations and found no basis for WSPA's allegations. The farm itself has ordered that an independent assessment take place in December. We encourage WSPA, the management of the farm and the Cayman Islands Government to continue to engage constructively.

Central Africa

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what diplomatic visits have been made by officials from British diplomatic posts in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the border region of those countries; and what concerns they have reported on human rights abuses or military activity.

Mark Simmonds: We remain very concerned about the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Diplomatic staff from the British embassy in Kinshasa visit Goma regularly as well as other accessible areas in eastern DRC. Diplomatic staff from the British high commission in Kigali have made frequent visits to the borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Staff from Kampala have also visited the border between Uganda and DRC. We expect our staff to continue making such visits provided that their safety is not put at risk.
	We receive regular reports about the current military situation and human rights in eastern DRC from these visits and from other sources including the UN, the DRC authorities, non-governmental organisations and civil society groups. A fragile lull in fighting remains in place, though we are aware of reports of continuing clashes, that M23 is extending its territory and that Rwandan support for M23 continues. We are also aware of reports that M23 and others are committing human rights abuses. We will continue to make it clear that human rights abuses wherever and whenever they occur are unacceptable.

Indonesia

Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Indonesian Government on the use of personnel trained by the UK and Australian Governments in military action against civilians in Papua and West Papua.

Hugo Swire: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has had no discussions with the Indonesian Government about this issue. Our ambassador to Indonesia met senior military and police officials in Papua in September 2012 and emphasised the need to respect human rights and ensure full and transparent investigations into violent incidents. All of the training delivered by the UK to Indonesian personnel is consistent with the importance we attach to upholding human rights. The UK remains committed to urging all levels of the Indonesian Government to work with the Papuans towards solving regional governance disputes peacefully.

Indonesia

Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Indonesian Government on human rights violations and prisoners of conscience in (a) Indonesia, (b) Papua and (c) West Papua.

Hugo Swire: We regularly discuss the situation in the provinces of Papua and West Papua with the Indonesian Government. The UK takes seriously all reports of human rights violations and we will continue to raise our concerns with the Indonesian authorities.
	Our ambassador discussed Papua with the co-ordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs on 26 September, and with Bambang Darmono, the Head of the Unit for Accelerated Development in Papua and West Papua on 9 October. The ambassador visited Papua in September this year and met with the head of the military and the Police Head of Operations where he emphasised the need to respect human rights and ensure full and transparent investigations into any violent incidents.

Middle East

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the Israeli military's treatment of activists on board the ship Estelle.

Alistair Burt: We have not received any reports on the treatment of activists on board the Estelle. We have been informed by our officials in Israel that the Israeli authorities provided assistance to the Nordic nationals involved. We are not aware of any British nationals who were on board the Estelle.

Palestinians

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to promote adherence to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Alistair Burt: We regularly raise the treatment of children in the OPTs with the Israeli authorities. While we have not discussed the rights of children under the specific auspices of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, we have discussed in detail issues affecting children, including themes relating to the convention. Issues discussed include ensuring development and increasing the standard of living for children in the OPTs, the legal rights of children in detention, ensuring protection for Gazan children from war, conflict and violence and ensuring that Gazan children have access to education.

Press: Subscriptions

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to which magazines, journals and newspapers his Department subscribes.

David Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)'s approach to subscriptions to publications is currently under review, whereby each subscription will be tested rigorously against a business case.
	Under this Government FCO expenditure on publications has already fallen by 14%.
	The majority of decisions on subscriptions to journals, magazines and newspapers are made by the UK's 261 embassies and diplomatic posts from within their budgets, or by individual departments within the FCO on the same basis. As a result comprehensive information on individual publications is not centrally recorded and collating this information would incur disproportionate cost. The following is a list of the known newspapers and other publications received in different parts of the FCO network of which we are aware as of October 2012, all of which are currently subject to the review of subscriptions. In some instances only a single copy of the publication is received:
	Adelphi Papers
	Africa Confidential
	Africa Research Bulletin
	Al Hayat
	Al Quds
	Al Sharq Al Awsat
	American Journal of International Law
	Asia Confidential
	Cambridge Law Journal
	Cambridge Review of International Affairs
	Caterer and Hotel Keeper
	China Quarterly
	Civil Wars
	Common Market Law Review
	Commonwealth Law Bulletin
	Comparative Strategy
	Conflict Management and Peace Science
	Conflict Security and Development
	Contemporary Security Policy
	Cooperation and Conflict
	Country Life
	Critical Studies on Terrorism
	Current Legal Problems
	Daily Express
	The Daily Jang
	Daily Mail
	Daily Mirror
	Daily Telegraph
	Decanter
	Defense and Security Analysis
	Delicious
	Diamond Intelligence Briefs
	Eastern Eye
	Economic and Political Weekly
	Economist
	El Pais
	Eurasian Geography and Economics
	European Human Rights Law Review
	European Journal of International Law
	European Law Review
	European Voice
	Financial Times
	Fishing News International
	Foreign Affairs
	Frame
	Global Crime
	Global Governance
	Good Housekeeping
	Grocer
	The Guardian
	Harvard International Law Journal
	Human Rights Quarterly
	I newspaper
	ICSID Review Foreign Investment Law
	Independent
	Independent on Sunday
	Intelligence and National Security
	Interights Bulletin
	International Affairs
	International Community Law Review
	International Comparative Law Quarterly
	International Herald Tribune
	International Journal of Human Rights
	International Journal of Intelligence and Counter Intelligence
	International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law
	International Journal of Middle East Studies
	International Journal of Refugee Law
	International Peacekeeping
	Jewish Chronicle
	Journal of Common Market Studies
	Journal of International Criminal Justice
	Journal of International Humanitarian Legal Studies
	Journal of Intervention and State Building
	Journal of Private International Law,
	Journal of Strategic Studies
	Law and Practice of International Courts and Tribunals
	Law Quarterly Review
	Le Monde
	Legal Issues of Economic Integration
	Leiden Journal of International Law
	Mail on Sunday
	Middle East Economic Digest
	Middle East Journal
	Middle East Policy
	Military Balance
	Modern Law Review
	Muslim Weekly
	Netherlands International Law Review
	New Scientist
	New Statesman,
	OAG Flight Guide
	Observer
	Ocean Development and International Law
	Penguin News
	Phileleftheros
	Post Soviet Affairs
	Private Eye
	Project Manager Today
	Prospect
	Public Law
	Restaurant
	Review of European Community and International Environmental Law (RECIEL)
	Review of International Studies
	RUSI Journal
	Small Wars and Insurgencies
	Spectator
	Strategic Comments
	Strategic Survey
	Sun
	The Sun on Sunday
	Sunday Express
	Sunday Mirror
	Sunday People
	Sunday Telegraph
	Sunday Times
	Survival
	Terrorism and Political Violence
	Times
	Turkish Studies
	Vogue
	Washington Quarterly
	Whitehall Papers
	World Economics
	Yale Journal of International Law

Rwanda

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration he has given to the recent Amnesty International report on military detention in Rwanda; and whether he has raised the findings of that report with the Government of Rwanda.

Mark Simmonds: The UK continues to have serious concerns about human rights abuses in Rwanda, and we regularly raise these concerns with senior Rwandan interlocutors. Our high commissioner in Kigali has raised the issue of illegal detention with the Rwandan Government on a number of occasions, and has discussed the key concerns in the Amnesty International report with them. He has regularly requested access to detention centres and in September was granted access to the Gikondo transit centre facility, one of those mentioned in the Amnesty International report. The high commission hosted a roundtable discussion between Amnesty International and other diplomatic missions in Rwanda before the report's publication to raise wider awareness of the issues it addresses. An update to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Human Rights Report, published on 18 October, described the high commission in Kigali's efforts to seek access to the military and civilian facilities referred to in Amnesty International's and other reports about illegal detention.

Sickness Absence

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many days on average staff of his Department in each pay grade were absent from work as a result of ill health in each of the last 12 months.

Alistair Burt: The average number of days an officer was absent from work as a result of ill health for Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) UK-based officers in each of the last 12 months is as follows:
	
		
			 Grade Oct 2011 Nov 2011 Dec 2011 Jan 2012 Feb 2012 Mar 2012 Apr 2012 May 2012 Jun 2012 Jul 2012 Aug 2012 Sep 2012 
			 Al 1.77 1.76 1.25 0.4 0.48 1.07 0.94 0.18 0.67 0.53 0.12 0.6 
			 A2 0.68 0.66 0.67 0.71 0.59 0.55 0.49 0.58 0.55 0.6 0.5 0.44 
			 B3 0.4 0.35 0.26 0.45 0.36 0.31 0.29 0.28 0.24 0.29 0.32 0.28 
			 C4 0.24 0.24 0.17 0.24 0.17 0.19 0.22 0.26 0.25 0.21 0.14 0.12 
			 C5 0.35 0.22 0.21 0.29 0.2 0.25 0.15 0.23 0.14 0.13 0.15 0.11 
			 D6 0.11 0.13 0.11 0.11 0.16 0.17 0.11 0.11 0.1 0.1 0.17 0.11 
			 D7 0.1 0.06 0.06 0.11 0.08 0.08 0.04 0.1 0.24 0.21 0.24 0.07 
			 SMS1 0.12 0.03 0.01 0.04 0.03 0.04 0.06 0.07 0.05 0.03 0.01 0.09 
			 SMS2 0.14 0.11 0.14 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.04 0 0.04 0.04 0.01 0 
			 SMS3 0 0.14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
		
	
	The above figures represent only FCO UK-based staff (around 4,500) who work either in the UK or in one of our missions abroad. They do not include locally engaged or FCO Services staff.

Staff

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on (a) recruitment agency fees, (b) outplacement agency fees for displaced or redundant staff and (c) staff training in each of the last 12 months.

Alistair Burt: The following tables show the amount spent by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on (a) recruitment agency fees in each of the last 12 months and (c) staff training per quarter (monthly total not available). In response to (b), the FCO has not spent money on outplacement agency fees for those displaced or made redundant.
	
		
			 Monthly Recruitment agency fees (£) 
			 October 2011 5,801.00 
			 November 2011 6,337.20 
			 December 2011 5,676.30 
			 January 2012 12,000.00 
			 February 2012 16,984.81 
			 March 2012 8,520.00 
			 April 2012 6,960.00 
			 May 2012 0.00 
			 June 2012 10,929.83 
			 July 2012 6,840.94 
			 August 2012 39,044.00 
			 September 2012 51,165.00 
		
	
	
		
			 Quarter Staff training (£) 
			 October-December 2011 2,880,614 
			 January-March 2012 3,072,086 
			 April-June 2012 2,616,601 
			 July-September 2012 (1)— 
			 (1 )Figures not yet available 
		
	
	The FCO uses recruitment agencies to attract a wide range of applicants to ensure its work force is as diverse and highly skilled as possible. For specialist recruitment campaigns, agencies are better placed to target applicants with the most relevant skills within that sector. A competitive tendering process is run to select an agency for external recruitment campaigns. This has proven to be more cost-effective than in-house recruitment.
	The figures cover recruitment for UK-based members of staff only—figures for recruitment undertaken by overseas posts advertising for local staff positions are not held centrally. All of the positions were approved for external recruitment as either business-critical or a front-line service, in accordance with the terms of the Government-wide recruitment freeze. The totals for August and September include expenditure on campaigns to recruit to a role within senior management, and to recruit 41 interns, the latter being exempt from the recruitment freeze.
	FCO expenditure on training reflects our commitment to staff development and what the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), described in July as
	“a programme of Diplomatic Excellence to build up the Foreign Office for the long term”.
	In 2011, the FCO agreed an overall strategy on Learning and Development. This maintains our investment in high standards of management and leadership, as well as specialist training for specific roles (eg consular) or cross-cutting skills (eg IT, finance). It also gave higher priority to core diplomatic skills including languages, regional expertise, policy skills, economic skills, commercial diplomacy, impact and influencing and negotiating. We continue to emphasise value for money in training provision, including full use of central Civil Service Learning resources.

Iran

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his US counterparts on the use of UK military facilities to support military action against Iran.

Alistair Burt: The UK undertakes prudent contingency planning on a wide range of issues. This often involves discussions with our partners, including the US. The detail of our contingency planning is by its very nature confidential.
	The UK believes the twin track approach of pressure through sanctions, which are having an impact, and engagement with Iran is the best way to resolve the nuclear issue.

Vacancies

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's vacancy rate was in 2011-12; and what vacancy rate has been assumed for 2012-13.

Alistair Burt: It is not possible to provide an overall figure for vacancy rates. External vacancies arise only when roles are not filled either internally or from across Whitehall and it is difficult to predict these in advance.
	In 2011-12, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) filled 22 Fast Stream programme and 19 other vacancies for UK-based staff through external recruitment campaigns.
	In 2012-13, the FCO expects to take on 40 fast streamers. The Fast Stream recruitment programme is exempt from the Government-wide recruitment freeze.

TREASURY

Air Passenger Duty: Northern Ireland

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Exchequer received in air passenger duty from passengers using airports in Northern Ireland in the last financial year for which figures are available.

Sajid Javid: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 October 2012, Official Report, column 802W.

Billing

Mike Freer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average cost to his Department was of processing the payment of an invoice in the latest period for which figures are available; and what proportion of invoices settled in that period his Department paid (a) electronically and (b) by cheque.

Sajid Javid: The average cost of processing an invoice for Treasury Group in 2011-12 was £6.28. Of the 8,595 invoices processed in this period 99.8% were paid electronically with the remaining 0.02% paid by cheque.

Child Benefit: Northern Ireland

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households in each constituency in Northern Ireland were in receipt of child benefit in January 2012.

David Gauke: The latest available data are for August 2011. This information is published in the HMRC publication “Child Benefit Statistics; Geographical analysis at County, Region, Local Authority and Parliamentary Constituency levels” and can be accessed here:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/child_benefit/chb-geog-aug11.xls
	Table 5 gives a breakdown by local authority, and Table 6 gives a breakdown by Westminster parliamentary constituency.

Corporation Tax

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the monetary value of research and development relief for corporation tax for large companies was in (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09, (c) 2009-10, (d) 2010-11 and (e) 2011-12;
	(2)  what the monetary value of research and development relief for corporation tax for small or medium-sized businesses was in (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09, (c) 2009-10, (d) 2010-11 and (e) 2011-12.

David Gauke: The costs of research and development tax credits for financial years up to 2010-11 are published on the HM Revenue and Customs website at
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/corporate_tax/randdtcmenu.htm
	Figures for 2011-12 are to be published in August 2013.

Equitable Life Assurance Society: Compensation

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many policyholders resident in (a) the UK and (b) Scotland have been paid from the Equitable Life payment scheme to date.

Sajid Javid: The scheme will be publishing a further progress report in early 2013 which will provide further detail on the volume and value of payments made to policyholders. A copy of previous reports can be found at:
	http://equitablelifepaymentscheme.independent.gov.uk/

Income Tax: Northern Ireland

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people paying income tax at the (a) basic and (b) higher rate there were in each constituency in Northern Ireland in the most recent financial year for which figures are available.

David Gauke: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Thousand 
			 Parliamentary constituency Basic rate taxpayers Higher rate taxpayers 
			 Belfast East 34 3 
			 Belfast North 28 1 
			 Belfast South 39 5 
			 Belfast West 26 (1)— 
			 East Antrim 36 3 
			 East Londonderry 33 2 
			 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 38 2 
			 Foyle 37 2 
			 Lagan Valley 52 5 
			 Mid Ulster 35 1 
			 Newry and Armagh 41 2 
			 North Antrim 46 3 
			 North Down 41 4 
			 South Antrim 49 3 
			 South Down 44 3 
			 Strangford 41 3 
			 Upper Bann 45 2 
			 West Tyrone 33 2 
			 (1) Sample size too small to produce a reliable estimate. 
		
	
	These estimates are based on the 2009-10 Survey of Personal Incomes data, the latest outturn survey available. Reliable estimates for later years, based on the projected SPI data, are not available due to greater uncertainties in projections for small geographical areas.

Motor Vehicles: Insurance

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what his policy is on the practice of car insurance companies charging unemployed customers far in excess of the premiums offered to customers in employment; and whether any such practice is discriminatory on the basis of employment status;
	(2)  if he will encourage car insurance companies to reduce the disparity in premiums offered to employed and unemployed customers.

Sajid Javid: As a rule, insurers use their claims experience and other industry-wide statistics to assess the risks posed by an individual and set the terms and price at which they will offer insurance cover. This can mean that where insurers think it relevant, people who are unemployed are offered more expensive cover or different terms.
	However, people who are unemployed should still be able to find insurance in the current market. For those who have difficulty, the British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) is able to advise on how best to look across the insurance market for appropriate cover and may be able to provide names of specialist brokers who can advise on the availability of appropriate insurance and trawl the market for the best available deals.

Sickness Absence

Mike Freer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many days on average staff of his Department in each pay grade were absent from work as a result of ill health in each of the last 12 months.

Sajid Javid: HM Treasury does not keep information on a monthly basis and to supply these data would incur a disproportionate cost. We do however collate data on an annual rolling average and these have been provided in the following table:
	
		
			 HM Treasury July 2011 to June 2012 April 2011 to March 2012 January 2011 to December 2011 October 2010 to September 2011 
			 Grade AWDL AWDL AWDL AWDL 
			 B 13.0 11.5 9.0 8.6 
			 C 6.6 6.4 5.9 5.9 
			 D 2.8 2.4 2.4 2.3 
			 E 2.9 3.1 3.6 3.6 
			 SCS 4.5 ' 2.9 3.7 2.3 
			 Commercial specialist 3.1 1.0 0.0 0.0 
			 All grades 4.3 3.9 3.8 3.7

Taxation

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the annual cost of administering the tax system.

David Gauke: In 2011-12, HMRC's Resource Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) expenditure totalled £3.7 billion. This figure includes expenditure on administering the payment of child benefit and tax credits which cost approximately £450 million in 2011-12.

Taxation

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent steps his Department has taken to simplify the tax system.

David Gauke: The Government are taking action to modernise and simplify the tax system. A modern tax system should be efficient, predictable, simple, and fair. The Government have made a number of improvements to the way in which they make tax policy, with consultation on policy design and scrutiny of draft legislative proposals as the cornerstones. Further details may be found online at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/tax_policy_making_new_approach.htm
	The Government established the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) on 20 July 2010 to provide independent advice on simplifying the UK tax system and have acted on a range of its recommendations.
	The Government abolished 43 tax reliefs and, from April 2013, will introduce a new cash basis for calculating tax, benefiting up to 3 million small self-employed businesses.
	HMRC is improving tax administration for small businesses as set out in its publication "Making tax easier, quicker and simpler for small business". This document can be found online at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2012/sme-4756.pdf

Taxation: Business

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department has any plans to allow businesses who offer discounts to military personnel to allow them to be tax deductible.

David Gauke: A business pays tax on its profits, broadly sales less costs incurred. The business will calculate its sales based on the amounts that customers pay in return for providing them with goods or services. Discounts given by a business to its customers will not be taxed as they will not be included in the computation of sales.

Taxation: Business

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  pursuant to the oral answer from the Prime Minister to the right hon. Member for Barking of 24 October 2012, Official Report, column 920, what steps he is taking to ensure that companies pay tax in an appropriate way;
	(2)  what his policy is on measures to limit the use of offshore financial centres by companies shifting profit to reduce UK tax liabilities.

David Gauke: The UK system of taxing multinational businesses is based on internationally agreed principles that determine how much profit each country should tax. The Government are alert to the risk that some companies may try to structure their affairs so that profits from UK-based economic activity are not taxed here. The UK works closely with other jurisdictions to share information and ensure a more effective approach to cross-border tax avoidance. The UK has specific tax rules to combat tax avoidance by international companies and supports international action on base erosion and profit-shifting, which has been endorsed by the G20.

Taxation: Business

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on country-by-country tax reporting; and whether he has considered proposals to introduce such measures in the UK.

David Gauke: The issue of country-by-country reporting has been extensively discussed with representatives from both civil society and industry in the context of the proposed EU Accounting Directive.
	The Government believe the best way to make progress in this area is to support the EU proposals to improve transparency in the extractives (gas, oil and mining) and forestry sectors.

Taxation: Energy

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the administrative process involved in taking up the Mineralogical Processes Exemption in the Taxation of Energy Products and Electricity Directive 2003/96/EC;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer of taking up the Mineralogical Processes Exemption in the Taxation of Energy Products and Electricity Directive 2003/96/EC;
	(3)  what plans he has to take up the Mineralogical Processes Exemption in the Taxation of Energy Products and Electricity Directive 2003/96/EC.

Sajid Javid: Council Directive 2003/96/EC (the Energy Taxation Directive) lays down mandatory requirements for member states to tax energy products and electricity. Under article 2.4 of the directive, taxation of certain processes is not mandatory, including some in the mineralogical sector. Ministers have committed to review the UK's taxation of these processes.
	This review will consider how other member states tax these processes and, if a further relief is appropriate, how it should be structured (for example, which processes should be covered). The cost and administrative processes involved with any exemption would therefore depend on its scope and coverage.

Vacancies

Mike Freer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department's vacancy rate was in 2011-12; and what vacancy rate has been assumed for 2012-13.

Sajid Javid: The vacancy rate for HM Treasury at 31 March 2012 was 6.6%. HM Treasury does not have an assumed rate for 2012-13.

Welfare Tax Credits

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 22 October 2012, Official Report, column 623W, on welfare tax credits, how many of the awards with overpayments of £1,000 or more for each of the last five years remain outstanding.

David Gauke: The information requested is available only at disproportionate cost.

Welfare Tax Credits

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the average amount overpaid in tax credits in each region of the UK in 2011-12.

David Gauke: I refer the hon. Member to the response given on 29 October 2012, Official Report, column 106W.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Energy-saving Devices

Mark Pawsey: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department is taking to ensure that energy-saving devices offered to consumers are effective and safe.

Gregory Barker: This Government are committed to the highest standards of consumer protection. We have ensured through legislation that energy-saving devices installed under programmes such as the green deal and smart metering comply with standards of the highest level, with robust consumer redress if they do not.

Energy Strategy

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he plans to take to ensure that demand reduction plays a larger part in the UK energy strategy in the future.

Edward Davey: The Government have a number of policies aimed at reducing energy demand including green deal, the CRC energy efficiency scheme and product standards. We will soon be publishing an energy efficiency strategy setting out how we may make the most of the UK's energy efficiency opportunity as well as a consultation on policies to unlock potential for permanently reducing electricity demand.

Biofuels

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with Centrica on future biomass generation capacity in the UK.

Gregory Barker: Details of the Secretary of State’s meetings are published quarterly on the DECC website. Centrica have announced their decision not to pursue plans to build new biomass stations at Roosecote and Brigg. Public consultation on support for new dedicated biomass plant under the renewables obligation has just closed and we expect to publish the Government response before the end of the year. We are determined to strike the right balance between encouraging investment in renewable electricity and ensuring value for money for consumers. That is why our proposals recognise its relatively high cost of carbon saving compared to other renewables such as wind power and coal to biomass conversion, where we are pleased to see new investment coming forward this week.

Energy: Prices

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department is taking to help people lower their energy bills.

Edward Davey: We have three ways to help people lower their energy bills. First, to help people save energy with carbon emissions reduction target, Warm Front, green deal and energy company obligation.
	Second, to help people switch to get better deals—we will do everything we can, including through the energy bill, to get people on the lowest tariffs. Third, to help low income and vulnerable households with direct help towards their energy bills, with the Warm Home discount.

Forests

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the preparation of a response to the Independent Panel on Forestry's report on the future of forestry in England.

Gregory Barker: DECC and DEFRA Ministers meet regularly to discuss climate and energy issues.
	The Independent Panel on Forestry's final report aspires to see local wood fuel much more widely used in rural communities, with rural public buildings and schools, and many more rural homes and businesses using wood-fuelled heating systems.
	DECC's Renewable Heat Incentive is an important driver for delivering this ambition. We introduced the Renewable Heat Incentive for non-domestic installations last year, and we are currently consulting on proposals for the introduction of a domestic scheme.

Fuels: Prices

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent discussions he has had with the retail fuel sector on the cost of petrol and diesel.

John Hayes: I recently spoke on this matter during a Backbench Business Committee debate on 13 September on “Effects of the Oil Market on the Price of Petrol and Diesel”. As a result I have asked officials to consider the implications of “fuel deserts” as part of the UK petroleum retail market study and to revisit the crude price pass through analysis.
	I also await with interest the Office of Fair Trading's findings on a set of related issues, due in January 2013.

Green Deal Scheme

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the name is of each company to which his Department has made payments to train green deal apprentices; and how much each such company has been paid.

Gregory Barker: The Department made £3 million available in funding for the training of green deal advisers and installers. This was delegated to Asset Skills and Construction Skills respectively to allocate on our behalf. Details of the activity for advisers is available on the Asset Skills website:
	www.assetskills.org
	and for installers on the Green Skills Alliance website:
	www.cutcarbon.info

Green Deal Scheme

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many green deal apprentices have (a) begun and (b) completed their training.

Gregory Barker: The Department made £3 million available in funding for the training of green deal advisers and installers. This was delegated to Asset Skills and Construction Skills respectively to allocate on our behalf. Over 1,000 learners have begun the adviser training and 23 had completed by the end of September. We expect another 500 to have done so by the end of January 2013. To date there are 304 individuals being assessed for their installer qualification with an expectation that they should complete this within four months. A further 260 individuals are registered and are currently being profiled to identify their training needs. There are also other green deal training courses being taken forward in addition to the DECC initiatives.

Green Deal Scheme

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much of the funding pledged to train green deal apprentices has been distributed to date.

Gregory Barker: The Department has made £1 million available in funding for the training of green deal advisors and £2 million for green deal installers. This has been distributed in full to Asset Skills and Construction Skills respectively. Details of the activity for advisors is available on the Asset Skills website
	www.assetskills.org
	and for installers on the Green Skills Alliance website
	www.cutcarbon.info

Nuclear Power

Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment he has made of the global nuclear energy market.

John Hayes: The Department has not made a recent assessment of the global nuclear energy market.
	The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills has published reports on the value of low carbon environmental goods and services sectors which provide estimates of the global value of the nuclear sector.
	The International Energy Agency’s annual “World Energy Outlook” report presents insights into trends in energy markets, including scenarios on the deployment of nuclear power.

Nuclear Power

Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent discussions he has had with EDF Energy regarding the new nuclear programme.

John Hayes: Ministers and officials meet EDF Energy regularly to discuss the future of new nuclear in the UK.
	The Department has also entered into dialogue with NNB Generation Company Ltd, a joint venture comprising EDF Energy and Centrica plc, regarding potential transitional arrangements for NNB's proposed new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C on the basis set out in the Technical Update on electricity market reform published in December 2011. These discussions are at an early stage, and no offers of comfort have been made by the Department.
	In all such discussions Ministers and officials avoid any consideration of the merits of EDF's application for development consent to build a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point, on which the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr Davey), will make the final decision when he has received a recommendation from the Planning Commission.

Nuclear Power

Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what progress he has made on agreeing a strike price for future nuclear energy provision.

John Hayes: The Department is in the process of assessing the terms and strike price of contracts for difference that might be offered to nuclear projects as part of the EMR programme.
	Our focus is on delivering a fair and affordable deal for consumers that provides clear value for money, and is consistent with the Government's policy on no public subsidy for new nuclear.

Press: Subscriptions

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to which magazines, journals and newspapers his Department subscribes.

Gregory Barker: Magazines, journals and newspapers are not subscribed to by the Department centrally. Gathering of this information would incur a disproportionate cost to DECC.

Press: Subscriptions

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department spent on newspapers, periodicals and trade publications in the last 12 months.

Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Climate Change spent £24,000 on its electronic press cuttings service during the 12-month period ending September 2012. The equivalent expenditure for the period 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 was £80,000.
	The Department does not record expenditure on newspapers, periodicals and trade profession magazines separately from overall expenditure on publications which includes the cost of the Department's own publications as well as purchased publications of all types. It would incur disproportionate costs to scrutinise all publication transactions to identify relevant amounts.

JUSTICE

Billing

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average time taken by his Department to settle invoices to external suppliers or contractors was in each of the last three financial years.

Jeremy Wright: The following table shows the overall Department figures for the total number of invoices paid in the last three financial years. It also shows the percentage of those that were paid within the five-day departmental target.
	
		
			 Financial year Total number of invoices paid Number of invoices paid within five days Percentage of total invoices received paid within the five-day departmental target 
			 2010-11 894,611 697,880 78.01 
			 2011-12 897,657 753,184 83.91 
			 2012-13(1) 436,866 378,046 86.54 
			 (1) YTD figure 1 April 2012 to 30 September 2012.

Cleaning Services

Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will make it his policy to require all cleaning contracts held by his Department to stipulate that the cleaning products used and their ingredients should not have been tested on animals.

Jeremy Wright: The Department does not have a policy to require cleaning contracts to stipulate that the cleaning products used and their ingredients should not have been tested on animals. There are currently no plans to introduce this policy. Contract requirements are considered on a case-by-case basis having regard to a number of factors including but not limited to cost, operational considerations, the practicality of implementing them, and social and environmental impact.

Community Orders

Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many offenders were imprisoned due to a breach of community orders in each of the last three years.

Jeremy Wright: The Ministry of Justice Court Proceedings Database holds information on defendants proceeded against, found guilty and sentenced for criminal offences in England and Wales. This database holds information on offences provided by the statutes under which proceedings are brought but not all the specific circumstances of each case. Statistics are not collated centrally on sentencing outcomes for breaches of community orders.

Criminal Injuries Compensation

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the effect of the proposed changes to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme on people who rely upon such compensation to cover the cost of living after they have been the victim of a violent crime; and if he will make a statement.

Helen Grant: Our proposals for reforming the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme were published in the consultation document “Getting it right for victims and witnesses” on 30 January and interested parties had a 12-week period in which to submit comments. Many were received and all were carefully considered.
	A draft scheme was laid before Parliament on 2 July and was approved by the House of Lords later that month. On 10 September, at the Delegated Legislation Committee in the House of Commons, several hon. Members made points abut the impact of our changes to the scheme. We agreed to take away and consider those points. We have now done so.

Criminal Injuries Compensation

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent representations he has received on the decision to disallow loss of earning claims for those with a broken work record in the last three years under the draft Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012.

Helen Grant: The only recent representations on this element of the draft Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 were made in debates in the House of Commons on 7 September (one hon. Member) and 10 September (two hon. Members) and in the House of Lords on 25 July (two noble Baronesses).

Criminal Injuries Compensation

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will consider bringing forward proposals to amend the requirement for immediacy of reporting to the police under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme to reflect the fact that some victims may be subject to intimidation.

Helen Grant: We believe it is reasonable to expect victims seeking compensation from the state to fully co-operate with the criminal justice process. However, in the draft Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 we have made provision, for the first time, for claims officers at the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority to take particular account of the effect of the incident on the applicant when considering when it was reasonably practicable to have reported the offence. This consideration would include assessing the circumstances of the case and whether the delay in reporting is the direct result of the trauma caused by the incident.

Criminal Proceedings: EU Law

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he has taken to transpose Framework Decision 2009/829/JHA on the principle of mutual recognition to decisions on supervision measures as an alternative to provisional detention into national law.

Jeremy Wright: None: the EU Council Framework decision 2009/829/JHA on the application between member states of the European Union of the principle of mutual recognition to decisions on supervision measures as an alternative to provisional detention, known as the European Supervision Order, is not due to be implemented until 1 December 2012 and as the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), announced to this House on 15 October 2012, Official Report, column 35, the UK's future participation in those measures within the scope of the 2014 decision, which includes this measure, is still being considered.

Prisoners

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the total prison population is in England and Wales; and what proportion of the prison population is serving sentences of (a) four years or less, (b) one year of less and (c) six months or less.

Jeremy Wright: The prison population for England and Wales as of 30 September 2012 was 86,457, of which (a) 33% (28,254) are serving sentences of four years or less; (b) 9% (7,670) are serving sentences of less than 12 months and (c) 6% (5,238) are serving sentences of six months or less.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large-scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Metal Theft

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of people charged with an offence involving stolen metal were recorded as being scrap metal dealers in each of the last three years.

Jeremy Browne: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Home Department.
	Information on the number of persons charged is not collected centrally. The police recorded crime statistics collected by the Home Office have data on the number of offences that were detected by means of a charge or summons but do not hold any information regarding the alleged offender.

Vacancies

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his Department's vacancy rate was in 2011-12; and what vacancy rate has been assumed for 2012-13.

Jeremy Wright: The Ministry of Justice does not collate vacancy rates centrally. However the National Offender Management Service does collate a profile of vacancies.
	For NOMS, the vacancy rate at 31 March 2012 was around 2%. This will fluctuate throughout the year as vacancies are filled or as more vacancies are created.
	The data are not available for the wider Department. However the number of vacancies that were advertised during the period 1 June 2011 to 31 March 2012 is available. During this period, around 2,060 vacancies were advertised. It is not possible to give full-year figures for 2011-12 because the Ministry of Justice's recruitment system was subject to an IT change.
	The Department's central budgetary calculations for 2012-13 do not involve assumptions about vacancy rates. Recruitment depends upon the need to balance redeployment of displaced surplus staff, turnover rates and operational need.